Housing Stability Financial Assistance (HSFA) – St. Thomas & Elgin County
This is a one-time emergency fund in St. Thomas and Elgin County that helps with rent or rent you owe, utility bills you owe, short motel stays, and moving or setup costs, to keep you from losing your home. You can get up to $1,500 if you live alone, or up to $3,000 if more than one person lives with you.
What you get
Emergency rent money
Who it's for
You qualify if you live in St.
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
- Any rent arrears notice or eviction notice
- Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
- ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
What to say when you call
“Hi, I need help paying my rent and I may be behind. Can you tell me what emergency rent help is open, what documents I need, and the fastest way to 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:
- You qualify if you live in St
- For rent you owe, you must be a legal tenant in suitable, affordable housing and provide an N4 notice or Co-op Schedule
- For utility bills you owe, the bill must be in your name with a disconnect notice
What to do next
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The fine print
More details about the money
One-time emergency assistance based on need: maximum $1,500 for single occupants and $3,000 for multiple occupants. Assessed against St. Thomas average market rents (bachelor $646, 1-bdrm $867, 2-bdrm $1,126, 3+ bdrm $1,467).
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
Residents of St. Thomas or Elgin County who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness, meet Canadian residency requirements, and are under the program's maximum household income limits: $32,000 (bachelor), $41,500 (1-bdrm), $49,000 (2-bdrm), $58,000 (3-bdrm), $74,500 (4-bdrm). For rent arrears you must be a legal tenant in housing that is appropriate and affordable, and provide an N4 notice or Co-op Schedule. For utility arrears the bill must be in your name with a disconnect notice.
Good to know
All dollar amounts, income limits, average market rents, eligible cost types, documentation (N4 / disconnect notice), $1,500 single / $3,000 multiple maximums, and the 230 Talbot St / 519-631-9350 / 1-800-265-4362 contacts were read and confirmed directly from the official St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services HSFA Fact Sheet PDF (hosted on the City's CivicLive CMS). HSFA is one-time emergency assistance. Market-rent figures are from the 2022 fact sheet and may have been updated since.
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