Homelessness Prevention Program

If you are experiencing homelessness:

Please contact your local Ontario Works office for assistance during business hours (Monday to Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm) or the After-Hours Homelessness Line (1-888-888-2491) for emergency shelter services. The After-Hours Homelessness line is available 7 days per week from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.

If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact the Mental Health Services of Renfrew County crisis line at 1-866-996-0991 for assistance. This line is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

The County of Renfrew has partnered with Built for Zero Canada (BFZC) and local community groups to help reduce chronic homelessness. BFZC is an ambitious national change effort helping a core group of leading communities end chronic homelessness. A By-Name List 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.

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

Use this link Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) application to complete and submit your application online.

HPP Income Level Cut-offs
Household After Tax Income	Household Size
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7+
< $28,000	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
< $39,000		Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
< $48,000			Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
< $52,000					Eligible	Eligible	Eligible

Maximum Eligibility

Households without children $1,500
Households with children $2,000

Eligible Expenses

Hotel/Motel Stay

Imminent or current homelessness
Unable to stay with family or friends
Applicant must participate in finding alternate housing
Vendor paid directly

Rent Deposit/Last Month's Rent

Imminent or current homelessness
Unemployed and moving for training or employment
Moving to more affordable accommodations
Moving due to health hazard
Landlord paid directly

Rent Arrears

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

Utility Arrears

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
Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) application is an eligibility condition

Transportation

Emergency circumstances where transportation is required to secure shelter (e.g. bus ticket, gas voucher)

Extraordinary Expenses

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.

Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

If HPP is required for utility arrears, the applicant must first 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:

$500 for electricity bills ($600 if your home is heated electrically)
$500 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, or Union Gas, should call 1-855-487-5327 to apply for a LEAP grant.

Apply

Pay and Donate

Report and Request

Homelessness Prevention Program