Find Affordable Housing

There are many affordable housing units in Brantford and Brant County, but as in many communities, demand is high. Applicants are placed on a wait list.

Please note that affordable housing is not an emergency shelter. Visit Emergency Shelters for more information about temporary stays.

How to apply

There are three ways to apply:

  1. Complete the application online.
  2. An application can be mailed to you. Call 519-759-4150 and ask for the Housing Application to be mailed to you.
  3. Pick up a rent-geared-to-income application or market rent application at 58 Dalhousie Street, Brantford between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).

Who is Eligible

To qualify for affordable housing, you must be a Canadian citizen, or have made an application for permanent residency or made a claim for refugee protection, and:

  • At least one household member is 16 years of age or older, and able to live independently
  • You must not owe rent, housing charge arrears or damages to another housing provider. If you owe arrears or damages, you must have a repayment schedule in place that is active and current
  • No member of your household has been convicted of an offence related to housing assistance
  • If you own a home, you must agree to sell it. (Homeowner Declaration Form 2022)
  • If you require support services, you may be eligible for a modified unit. You will need to pursue the support services you require to live independently
  • Your household income must be below a limit that shows your household could afford paying market rent
  • Review the Brant Access to Housing Applicant Information Guide for more information

How Vacancies are Filled

How vacancies are filled depends on the situation. Below is a list of priorities and the criteria for each. In addition, you may call us to discuss your options before you apply.

 Special Priority Status (Domestic Abuse & Survivors of Human Trafficking)

Under provincial housing legislation (the Housing Services Act) there is a special program called the Special Priority Program (SPP) for households with current or recent experience of domestic abuse or human trafficking that gives them priority access to Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing or Portable Housing Benefits . City of Brantford staff is responsible for determining eligibility for this program and helping individuals experiencing abuse apply for housing benefits and register for rental housing geared to their income.

For the purposes of Special Priority, abuse means one or more incidents of: physical or sexual violence, controlling behaviour, or intentional destruction of or intentional injury to property, or words, actions or gestures that threaten an individual or lead an individual to fear for his or her safety.

For survivors of human trafficking, those who are currently being trafficked or those who have exited trafficking within a period of three (3) months are eligible to apply for Special Priority Status (SPP).

A household can only apply for SPP under one stream.

To apply for SPP, complete the Special Priority Status Form and submit to housingapplications@brantford.ca
 Homeless Status

Under provincial housing legislation (the Housing Services Act) there is a special program called Urgent Priority (URG) for households currently experiencing homelessness that gives them priority access to Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing or Portable Housing Benefits.

For the purposes of allowing Homeless individuals and families priority to social housing in the City of Brantford and the County of Brant, the term “homeless” includes:

  1. Person living on the street (no shelter)
  2. Person living in a motel
  3. Person living in substandard housing that has been condemned by the City
  4. Person using the emergency shelter system as their primary residence
  5. Person whose housing has recently been destroyed by fire or natural disaster
  6. Person living with family or friends on a temporary basis for less than six months
  7. Person awaiting release from hospital or other time-limited treatment facility who cannot return to their former place of residence due to the modifications required to the home.

To apply for homeless status, please complete the Homeless Priority Form and submit to housingapplications@brantford.ca.