Affordable housing
Who can apply for subsidized housing? (click the orange arrow)
The following applies for each member of the household:
Each member must be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant (permanent resident), or refugee;
At least one person in your household must be 16 years of age or older and be able to live independently;
If you or any member of the household has arrears owing to any social housing provider in Ontario, Access to Housing will require confirmation that the member has entered into an agreement with the housing provider for repayment of the arrears before your application is processed;
Your application will be rejected if any member of the household has been convicted in court or at the Ontario Rental Tribunal within the last two (2) years of an offence related to rent-geared-to-income housing under section 85 of the SHRA or a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada in relation to rent-geared-to-income assistance.
If anyone in your household has a financial interest in another home anywhere in the world, you must agree, in writing, to divest yourself of the property within one (1) year of getting housed. You do not have to make this decision before you apply but you will have to make it before you get housed.
LOCAL HOUSING HELP:
Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation
945 McDougall Street, Windsor, ON, N9A 1L9
Tel: 519-254-1681
Website: www.wechc.com
Windsor Essex CHC provides well-maintained, safe and affordable community housing in a respectful and fair manner.
Housing Information Services
3450 Ypres Avenue, Suite 200, Windsor, ON, N8W 5K9
Tel: 519-254-4824
Website: www.hiswindsor.ca
Housing Information Services of Windsor & Essex County Inc. (HIS) is a dynamic service consisting of extensive one-on-one client assistance in Homelessness Prevention, Housing Retention, Energy Assistance, Rent Subsidy Assistance, Transitional Housing, Networking, Referrals, Education, Advocacy and Landlord Support Services.
Central Housing Registry - Windsor
2470 Dougall Avenue, Unit 6, Windsor, ON, N8X 1T2
Phone: 519-254-6994
Fax: 519-254-9166
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chrwec.com
Central Housing Registry — Windsor Essex County (CHR-WEC) assists applicants in Windsor and Essex County seeking accommodation in social housing through the use of a coordinated access system. Low income families, individuals and seniors may apply. This is a free service for applicants. The coordinated access system allows households who want to apply for social housing in Windsor and Essex County, one location to go to and apply for all social housing providers listed with the CHR-WEC. There are 39 Housing Providers using the CHR-WEC lists.
City of Windsor – Housing and Children’s Services
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 428, Station A Windsor, ON, N9A 6L7
Located at: 400 City Hall Square, Windsor, ON, N9A 7K6
Tel: 519-255-5200 extension 6240
Fax: 519-256-7107
For general information please call 311.
Website: www.citywindsor.ca
Social Housing provides direction and support to 39 Social Housing Providers, to ensure program and legislative compliance, as prescribed by provincial rules and the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 and Regulations.
CAN-AM Urban Native Homes (Windsor) Incorporated
180 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor, Ontario N8X 2P8
Tel: (519) 977-7782
Fax: (519) 977-1820
Website: www.caunh.ca
Area Served: Windsor
Target Group: Native ancestry, Status, Non-status, Métis and Inuit
Application: Application process required
Services: Tenant liaison serving tenants and applicants
Program: Private Non-Profit – 84 single family income geared homes – scattered throughout the city of Windsor – 1 accessible unit.
Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex
3064 Devon Drive, Windsor, Ontario N8X 4L2
Tel: (519) 969-3762
Fax: (519) 969-7832
Web Site: www.habitatwindsor.org
Area Served: Windsor and Essex County
Target Group: Families on fixed or low incomes are eligible
Applications: Application process required
Services: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
No fees
Language(s): English
Accessible
Program: The organization builds and renovates homes for needy families under the Habitat for Humanity program. The families chosen must invest “sweat equity” during the construction of the home and then pay off an interest-free mortgage to help fund future projects.
Birth, Death and Marriage certificates
https://www.ontario.ca/page/official-government-id-and-certificates
Family Responsibility Office (FRO)
We can help in the community office if you need assistance with your case file at the Family Responsibility Office. To go to the government of Ontario site, click here.
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/familyresponsibility
Health & OHIP
Our office can assist you with a number of matters related to health and long-term care (click the orange arrow).
A resident of Ontario must have a health card to show that he or she is entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care pays for a wide range of services; however, it does not pay for services that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery.
Eligibility for OHIP
Ontario residents are eligible for provincially funded health coverage (OHIP). Generally, to be eligible for Ontario health coverage you must be:
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or among one of the newcomer to Canada groups who are eligible for OHIP as set out in Ontario’s Health Insurance Act; and
- Physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period; and
- Physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province; and
- Make your primary place of residence in Ontario.
OHIP coverage normally takes effect three months after the date you establish residency in Ontario. The ministry strongly encourages new and returning residents to purchase private health insurance in case you become ill during the OHIP waiting period.
Finding a Family Doctor – Health Care Connect
Health Care Connect helps Ontarians who are without a family health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to find one. People without a family health care provider are referred to a family doctor or a nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients in their community. To find out more information about Health Care Connect, click here.
Finding Long-term Care
Arranging care for yourself or a family member will involve a number of steps. This section of the website describes the process for arranging care, and the role you can play in the process. See the Arranging Care page for more details.
The Erie St. Clair Home and Community Care Support Services can help. It is a provincially-funded agency that provides Long-Term Care information and referral services in your area. The information is provided free of charge. To contact the Erie St. Clair Home and Community Care Support Services, click here.
To find a suitable long-term care home, this search engine will help you. If you require any assistance with finding a long-term care space, please contact my office.
Income tax
When completing your income tax return, there are three Ontario forms that are of particular interest (click orange arrow).
ODSP & Ontario Works (OW)
Call or visit your local Ontario Works office for information regarding Ontario Works & Ontario Disability Support Program. Click the orange arrow for local information.
At the beginning of the application process, you will receive information about the Ontario Disability Support Program/Ontario Works. You will also be told which information and documents may be needed to complete the application process. You will need:
- Health Card Number
- Social Insurance Number
- Proof of Identity and Date of Birth
- Employment History/Information
- Income and Asset Statements
- Shelter Costs
- Status in Canada and Dependent Information
The application process is completed in person at your local ODSP/Ontario Works office. You will be required to complete and sign all necessary forms, including the application for assistance, and a participation agreement outlining the specific employment activities you may participate in. You will also need to provide any required information and documents.
LOCAL ODSP OFFICE:
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Ontario Disability Support Program
Income and Employment Supports
270 Erie Street East
PO Box 1810, Station A
Windsor ON N9A 7E3
Tel: (519) 254-1651
Toll Free: 1-800-387-7327
TDD/TTY: (519) 254-4850
Fax: (519) 255-7976
LOCAL ONTARIO WORKS (OW) OFFICE:
Ontario Works
call 311 for general information. For detailed inquiries, call (519) 255-5200.
Fax: (519) 255-1011 or (519) 255-1503
Email: [email protected]
400 City Hall Sq. S, Windsor, ON N9A 6L7
If you would like assistance from our community office with your existing ODSP or OW file, please email us at [email protected] or call 519-251-5199.
OSAP
This information can be found on the Ontario Student Assistance Program website click here.
Click the orange arrow for local info.
Your first point of contact for help with applying for OSAP is the Financial Aid Office of the school you are applying to. Out-of-province students can get help by calling 1-877-OSAP411 (1-877-672-7411) during business hours.
Find out more about how OSAP can help you pay for your education.
LOCAL OSAP OFFICES:
University of Windsor
Financial Aid Office location: NE Corner of Sunset Avenue and Fanchette Avenue
Tel: (519) 253-3000 ext. 3300
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address: 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4
St. Clair College
Financial Aid Office location: Room 166, Windsor Campus, 2000 Talbot Road West, Windsor
Phone: 519-972-2718
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address: 2000 Talbot Rd. W., Windsor, ON, N9A 6S4
Petition assistance
Do you need assistance preparing a petition for the Ontario legislature? (click orange arrow)
You can go to the Ontario legislative page for instructions on petitions by clicking here.
If you need assistance preparing your petition, please contact our office at [email protected] or 519-251-5199.
School Boards
Click the orange arrow for local School Board contacts.
GREATER ESSEX COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
451 Park Street West
P.O. Box 210
Windsor ON
N9A 6K1
Phone: (519) 255-3200
Or 1-888-779-7735
Transportation Inquiries: 519-776-6431
School Board Trustees:
City of Windsor
Alan Halberstadt, GECDSB Trustee representing Ward 4
Phone: (519) 984-3289
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: Frank W. Begley Public School, King Edward Public School
Secondary Schools: Walkerville Collegiate Institute
Sarah Cipkar, GECDSB Trustee representing Ward 4
Phone: (519) 790-9518
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: Frank W. Begley Public School, King Edward Public School
Secondary Schools: Walkerville Collegiate Institute
Cathy Cooke, GECDSB Trustee representing Wards 5, 6, 7, 8
Phone: 519-890-1486
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: Coronation Public School, David Maxwell Public School, Dr. David Suzuki Public School, Eastwood Public School, Ford City Public School, Forest Glade Public School, Herman Academy – Elementary, Hetherington Public School, Parkview Public School, Princess Elizabeth Public School, Roseville Public School, William G. Davis Public School
Secondary Schools: Herman Academy – Secondary, Riverside Secondary School
Gale Simko-Hatfield, GECDSB Trustee representing Wards 5, 6, 7, 8
Phone: (519) 971-1667
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: Coronation Public School, David Maxwell Public School, Dr. David Suzuki Public School, Eastwood Public School, Ford City Public School, Forest Glade Public School, Herman Academy – Elementary, Hetherington Public School, Parkview Public School, Princess Elizabeth Public School, Roseville Public School, William G. Davis Public School
Secondary Schools: Herman Academy – Secondary, Riverside Secondary School
Town of Tecumseh
Alicia Higgison, GECDSB Trustee for Tecumseh
Phone: 519-818-4293
Email: [email protected]
Schools: A.V. Graham Public School, D.M. Eagle Public School, Tecumseh Vista Academy – Elementary and Secondary
WINDSOR-ESSEX CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
1325 California Ave. Windsor, Ontario, Canada,N9B 3Y6
Phone:
Fax:
School Board Trustees:
City of Windsor
Bernie Mastromattei, WECDSB Trustee representing Ward 4
Phone: (519) 253-2116
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: St. Anne French Immersion
Fred Alexander, WECDSB Trustee representing Wards 5 & 8
Phone: (519) 735-8664
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: W. J. Langlois, St. Jules, St. Bernard Windsor, Corpus Christi Middle School
Secondary Schools: FJ. Brennan Secondary School, St. Joseph's Secondary School
Kim Bouchard, WECDSB Trustee representing Wards 6 & 7
Phone: (226) 347-1858
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: L. A. Desmarais, H. J. Lassaline, St. John Vianney, St. Rose, Corpus Christi Middle School
Secondary Schools: FJ. Brennan Secondary School, St. Joseph's Secondary School
Town of Tecumseh
Mary Heath, WECDSB Trustee representing Tecumseh
Phone: (519) 735-7408
Email: [email protected]
Elementary Schools: St. André French Immersion, St. Mary with French Immersion, St. Peter, St. Pius X
CONSEIL SCOLAIRE CATHOLIQUE PROVIDENCE
School Board Trustees:
City of Windsor
Christian Trudeau, Trustee, Quartiers 4, 5, 8
519-890-8276
L’école: École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Thérèse
Pauline Morais, Trustee, Quartiers 6 et 7
(519) 567-1954
L’école: École élémentaire Georges-P-Vanier
Town of Tecumseh
Pauline Morais, Trustee, Quartier 1, 2, 3
(519) 567-1954
Les écoles: École élémentaire catholique Saint-Antoine, École Sainte-Marguerite D'Youville, École secondaire catholique l'Essor
Service Ontario
Looking for a Service Ontario location nearby? (Click the orange arrow)
Service Ontario (East Side)
7755 Tecumseh Rd E #100, Windsor, ON N8T 1G3
(519) 974-6050
Service Ontario
2437 Dougall Ave, Windsor, ON N8X 1T3
(519) 969-8500
Service Ontario
400 City Hall Square E #205, Windsor, ON, N9A 7K6
(416) 326-1234
Special greetings & certificates
Representatives of the different levels and branches of government will send special congratulatory greetings and/or certificates to people celebrating significant birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or other events. Click the orange arrow for more information.
NOTE: The recipient or requestor must live in the riding, and scroll requests will only be processed if the recipient is a resident of Ontario.
Here is the criteria:
The Queen will send a congratulatory letter on:
- a 60th wedding anniversary and all subsequent anniversaries; or
- a 100th birthday and all subsequent birthdays.
Requests for greetings from the Queen must be submitted at least eight weeks in advance.
The Governor-General will send a congratulatory letter on:
- a 50th wedding anniversary and all subsequent anniversaries in 5 year intervals; or
- a 90th birthday and all subsequent birthdays in 5 year intervals.
Requests for the Governor-General’s greetings must be submitted at least eight weeks in advance.
The Prime Minister of Canada will send a congratulatory letter on:
- a 25th wedding anniversary and all subsequent anniversaries in 5 year intervals; or
- a 65th birthday and all subsequent birthdays in 5 year intervals.
- a 100th birthday and all subsequent birthdays.
Requests for the Prime Minister’s greetings must be submitted at least six weeks in advance.
The Premier of Ontario will send a congratulatory letter on:
- a 40th wedding anniversary and all subsequent anniversaries; or
- an 80th birthday and all subsequent birthdays.
Requests for the Premier’s greetings must be submitted at least two (2) months in advance. Please note that congratulatory letters will not be issued more than once every five (5) years.
Your Member of Provincial Parliament, will send a congratulatory letter on:
- Any birthday or wedding anniversary; or
- Any celebratory occasion.
Requests for the MPP's greetings must be submitted as early as possible.
Tenants and landlords
This information can also be found on the Landlord & Tenant Board website of the Ontario government, click here.
About the Board and the Residential Tenancies Act
- What does the Landlord and Tenant Board do?
- Who is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (the Act)?
- How can I talk to someone about the Act?
- Where can I get a copy of the Residential Tenancies Act (the Act)?
- Where can I get copies of the Landlord and Tenant Board’s forms and brochures?
- Can a landlord ask a person applying for a rental unit to provide information about their income, credit references and rental history?
- Do landlords and tenants have to have a written lease or tenancy agreement?
- What information should be included in a tenancy agreement?
- Can I get a lease or rental application from the Landlord and Tenant Board?
- What information does a landlord have to give to a new tenant?
- Can a landlord charge a person a deposit or a fee for allowing them to rent a unit?
- Can the landlord refuse to rent to a person if they have a pet?
- Who is responsible for maintaining the unit?
- Can a tenant withhold rent because their landlord isn’t properly maintaining their building or unit?
- What should a tenant do if repairs are needed to their building or unit?
- Can a tenant pay their rent to the Board if their landlord isn’t properly maintaining their building or unit?
- Who is responsible for snow removal?
- Who is responsible for garbage removal?
- When does a landlord have to turn the heat on? What temperature does my landlord have to keep my apartment at?
- What can a tenant do if their landlord does not turn on the heat?
- Does a landlord have to renovate a rental unit before a tenant moves in? Or, renovate it after the tenant has lived there a couple of years?
- Can the landlord enter a tenant’s unit?
- Can a tenant refuse to let the landlord in if the landlord wants to enter their unit?
- What can happen if a landlord enters a unit illegally?
- Can a tenant change the locks?
- Can the landlord change the locks?
- How is the rent on a rental unit decided?
- How often can my rent be increased?
- How much can a landlord legally increase the rent this year?
- Does a landlord have to notify a tenant of a rent increase?
- Does a landlord have to give rent receipts?
- What information must be provided in a receipt?
- When is rent considered late?
- If a tenant is late with their rent, what can the landlord do?
Rent Deposits and Other Charges
- Can a landlord charge a person a deposit or a fee to rent a unit?
- Can a landlord ask a tenant to pay money to update their rent deposit?
- Does a landlord have to pay interest if a rent deposit is collected?
- Can a landlord ask for a deposit for keys?
- Can the landlord charge for additional or replacement keys?
- If the landlord changes the locks, can the landlord charge the tenant for the new keys?
- Can the landlord charge the tenant a damage deposit?
- Can a landlord charge a fee if a tenant’s rent cheque is returned NSF?
How a Tenant Can End a Tenancy
- How much notice does a tenant have to give if they want to move out?
- Can a tenant break a lease?
- What is the difference between assigning and subletting a unit?
- How can a tenant sublet their unit?
- What happens if a tenant assigns or sublets their unit without the landlord’s consent?
How a Landlord Can Evict a Tenant
- What is the process for evicting a tenant?
- Can a tenant be evicted without a hearing?
- Can a tenant be evicted in the winter?
- For what reasons can a landlord evict a tenant?
- Can a landlord evict a tenant for having a pet?
- Can a tenant be evicted for having a roommate?
- Can a tenant be evicted if the landlord wants to use the unit themselves?
- Can a tenant be evicted if the landlord sells the house and the purchaser wants to move in?
- Can a tenant be evicted for something that their roommate or a guest they allow into the rental unit does?
- What can a tenant do if the landlord gives them a Notice of Termination?
- How can I file an application with the Board?
- How much does an application cost?
- How can I pay for an application?
- How will I know if an application has been filed against me?
- What can I do if an application is filed against me?
- If the landlord files an eviction application about non-payment of rent, can a tenant stop the eviction process before the hearing?
- What happens at a hearing?
- What issues can a tenant raise at a hearing of a landlord’s application based on non-payment of rent?
- Do I need a lawyer or agent?
- Does the Board supply an interpreter at hearings?
- Can I ask someone else to go to the hearing in my place?
- What if the hearing date is not good for me – can I have it moved to another day?
- What happens if I am late for my hearing?
- What happens if I do not attend my hearing?
- Does the Board always hold a hearing to resolve an application?
- How do I find out about the decision on my application?
- If I don’t agree with the decision that is made, is there anything that I can do?
- What is an ex parte order and how can it be set aside?
- What can be done if the landlord or tenant refuses to pay the other any money they were ordered to pay by the Board?
- What can a landlord do if the tenant does not move out of the unit by the date set out in the eviction order?
Work safety & WSIB
The Workplace Safety & Insurance Act governs the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB).
This Act requires that any person acting as a representative for an injured worker be either a lawyer, a paralegal, a representative of a trade union, or a member of the Office of the Worker Advisor. Although my office is exempt from this provision, my staff are not properly trained to represent workers. This means that we cannot represent you.
However, we are able to assist you with finding the representation you deserve. Although we are unable to represent you at hearings, we are still able to review your claim file and make recommendations.
Visit the WSIB Ontario website for more information.
WSIB Windsor Office
2485 Ouellette Avenue
Windsor, ON, N8X 1L5
Phone: 416-344-1000
Phone: 1-800-387-0750
Fax: 1-888-313-7373 / 416-344-4684
Office of the Worker Adviser
Windsor Office
100 Ouellette Avenue, 10th Floor, Windsor, ON, N9A 6T3
Phone: (519) 254-7558
Fax: (519) 254-1741
Toll Free: 1-800-265-5649
Email: [email protected]
Employment Standards Office
Windsor
4510 Rhodes Drive, Suite 610
Windsor, ON, N8W 5K5
Phone: 519-256-8277 or 1-800-265-5140
Fax: 519-258-1321