- Imminent or current homelessness
- Unemployed and moving for training or employment
- Moving to more affordable accommodations
- Moving due to health hazard
- Landlord paid directly
Homelessness Prevention Program
Are you currently homeless with no where else to go? Please contact the Mesa Hart Hub Intake Centre at 1-844-720-0056. This number is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Community Services Outreach Program
You can also tell us more about your situation by completing our By-Name data survey. This survey has been created to better know every person experiencing homelessness by name, to understand their unique needs, and to prioritize services and housing supports. By completing this survey you can be connected to a Community Services Outreach worker who will help you navigate the services that you need.
Homelessness Prevention Program
The Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) is a provincially funded initiative delivered by the County of Renfrew to help residents with low income maintain housing stability.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Reside within Renfrew County
- Have net income lower than the HPP Income Level Cut-off chart
- Have liquid assets not exceeding $2,500
- Have not already received the maximum HPP benefit within the last 12 months
- Submit a completed HPP Application (printable version) and submit requested documents to verify identity, income, and expenses
- Meet criteria for eligible expenses
| Household After Tax Income | Household Size | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ | |
| $38,000 or less | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
| $38,001 - $54,000 | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | |
| $54,001 - $65,000 | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | ||
| $65,001 - $71,000 | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | ||||
Maximum Eligibility
- Households without children $1,500
- Households with children $2,000
Eligible Expenses
Rent Deposit/Last Month's Rent
- At risk of eviction for non-payment of rent
- The applicant must agree to a payment plan to ensure that ongoing rent is paid
- Landlord paid directly
- Imminent or current hydro, fuel, or water service disconnection
- HPP can only be issued if the vendor will reconnect or stop disconnection
- The applicant must agree to a payment plan to prevent future risk of utility interruption
- Equipment rental & utility deposits can be paid if required to obtain new utility service
- Other expenses connected to an emergency may be approved if required to ensure housing stability. Eligibility for extraordinary expenses will be considered in cases where failing to provide financial assistance may result in the loss of housing or housing safety.
- Actively working with Community Services Outreach workers and/or partnered service agencies to find long term housing options
- Applicant must remain engaged in finding long term housing options and commit to social contract
- Monthly financial contribution towards stay is required
- Subject to availability and eligible applicants may be placed on waiting list until space becomes available
- Must have completed a By-Name data survey
Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
If you have fallen behind on your utility bill, you may also apply to the Ontario Energy Board Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Through LEAP, low-income customers can get direct support to pay bills to ensure that electricity and natural gas services are not disconnected. Maximum LEAP grant amounts are:
- $650 for electricity bills ($780 if your home is heated electrically)
- $650 for natural gas bills
Residential customers that have fallen behind on paying electricity or natural gas bills with Alectra Utilities, Elexicon Energy, Enbridge Gas, Hydro One Networks, InnPower, Renfrew Hydro or Union Gas, should call 1-855-487-5327 to apply for a LEAP grant.