Rent
BCHC tenants pay one of the following types of rent:
Rent-Geared-To-Income (RGI)
RGI rent is a financial subsidy provided to a household in order to reduce the amount that a household must pay for rent. RGI rent, plus or minus a utility allowance, is based on
approximately 30% of a household’s gross (before taxes) monthly income or is based on social assistance scales for tenants who receive OW or ODSP.
Market Rent
Market Rent is approximately the same amount of rent you would pay in the private sector. The market rent rates are set annually as approved by the Bruce County Housing Corporation Board. Bruce County Housing Corporation market rents are posted on our website.
Affordable Rent
The affordable rent is set at a rate below the average market rent for Bruce County (approximately 80% of the average market rent). Tenants must meet the eligibility criteria of the program at the time of move in based on the unit bedroom size. The affordable rent of each tenant will be increase annually by the rate approved by the Bruce County Housing Corporation Board as per the allowable rent increase guidelines.
Your rent is due on or before the 1st of every month.
Paying your Rent:
You may pay by cash, money order, post-dated cheques or preauthorized debit. This is where the money comes directly out of your bank account. If you receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Benefits you may be able to have them pay your rent directly. We encourage you to consider setting up either a pre-authorized debit or providing post dated cheques to ensure that your rent is always paid on time and to save you time.
A $20.00 NSF charge will apply to returned cheques or direct withdrawals.
Report Changes to Your Household Income - RGI (Rent-Geared-To-Income) Tenants Only
Rent-Geared-To-Income (RGI) rents are reviewed normally once a year, but you must understand that your rent may change more than once a year if your income changes. You must report any changes to your household income, or changes to the source of your income to BCHC within 30 days of the change. Failure to do so may result in your household losing its rent subsidy.
When RGI rents are reviewed, you will receive a rent change decision letter. If it is determined that your rent will change (an increase or decrease), you will be given notice of when the rent change takes effect and what your new rent will be. If your rent will be increasing from RGI to Market you will be given 90 days notice.
Changes to Family Composition
If there are any changes to your family composition (the number of household members) you must report these changes, to the Client Manager within 30 days of the change. For example, if
someone moves out of your unit you need to let us know.
Do not wait for your annual review to report changes in your income or family
composition. Your RGI subsidy and tenancy could be in jeopardy if you do not
report changes. You may be required to pay money back to BCHC should you fail
to report changes within the 30-day time period.
Changes to Your Rent
Any changes to your rent will be reported to you in writing according to the Regulations under the Social Housing Reform Act and the Residential Tenancies Act.
