Housing Help
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ProvincialIncome benefit LondonVerified June 2026

Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (London & Middlesex referral)

This gives you money each month to help pay rent in a private place in London or Middlesex. In this area you do not apply on your own. The City contacts people who qualify. It pays the gap between 30% of your income and the average local rent.

What you get

Money paid to you

Who it's for

You qualify if you are in one of the priority groups the City contacts: survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking, people who are homeless or at risk, Indigenous people, seniors, people with disabilities, newcomers, and young adults.

Start your application

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:

  • The City reaches out to you directly

What to do next

Check off each step as you go — we'll remember where you are.

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The fine print

More details about the money

A monthly portable housing benefit. The City states it pays the difference between 30% of the household's income and the average market rent in the area. The exact dollar amount is not published and depends on income and local market rent.

Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.

The full eligibility rules

Referral-based priority groups listed by the City include survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking, people who are homeless or at risk, Indigenous persons, seniors, people with disabilities, newcomers, and young adults. Eligible individuals are contacted directly by the City.

Good to know

COHB is a joint federal-provincial benefit administered provincially and delivered locally by referral; classified here as provincial level. Confirmed on the City of London page: referral-based delivery, the priority groups, and that the benefit pays the gap between 30% of income and average market rent. The dollar amount and income thresholds are not published on the London source.

Official sources we checked
Official program page
This is a summary to get you started — the official page always has the final say. Spot something wrong? Tell us.
This guide is published by Mithulan Perinpanayagam, CPA, CA, who also co-founds Foundation Capital, a private real-estate firm that operates rental housing. Foundation Capital does not set its rents based on anything on this site. This guide is information only — not financial, legal, tax, or benefits advice, and using it does not create a professional relationship. Always confirm current details with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on them.

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