211 Ontario (housing information and referral)
211 is a free phone line and website that helps you find local help. Call 2-1-1 or visit the site to get pointed to housing programs near you. They can connect you to rent banks, eviction help, subsidized housing applications, and emergency money. Your call is private. It is the easiest first step to find out what you qualify for.
What you get
Free local help
Who it's for
Anyone in Ontario can use it.
This takes you to the official website
What to have ready
Documents they may ask for
- Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
- A copy of your lease or rent agreement
- Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
- Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
- ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
- Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it
What to say when you call
“Hi, I am looking for housing help. Can you tell me if this program fits my situation, what documents I need, and whether there is anyone who can help me apply?”
Use the official page first, then call 211 if you are not sure where to start.
Can I get this?
You have a good chance if this sounds like you:
- Anyone in Ontario can use it
- There is no income test to call or to get help finding services
What to do next
Check off each step as you go — we'll remember where you are.
Checkmarks are saved only on this device. We collect nothing.
The fine print
The full eligibility rules
Anyone in Ontario seeking help finding housing services or other social supports. No eligibility test to use the referral service itself.
Good to know
CONFIRMED via 211ontario.ca: it is a helpline that connects people to social services, programs and community supports. 211 is the navigation layer, not a funder; it does not pay rent itself. Best first step for a tenant who doesn't know which local program applies. (Removed the /211-topics/housing/ deep link from source_urls because it returned a bot-verification wall on fetch; the homepage is the stable confirmed source.)
Official sources we checked
People also look at
Free local help
Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic (Housing/Tenant Law)
A Legal Aid Ontario community legal clinic that gives free legal help to low-income tenants in Chatham-Kent on housing problems: evictions from a rental or co-op, repairs, harassment, and rent-subsidy problems.
Free local help
R.O.C.K. (Reach Out Chatham-Kent)
A Chatham-Kent street-outreach charity that helps people who are homeless, unstably housed, or affected by substance use.
Free local help
Neighbourhood Legal Services (London & Middlesex) - Tenant / Eviction Help
A free community legal clinic (funded by Legal Aid Ontario) for low-income people in London and Middlesex.