Help Paying Rent

Not being able to afford your rent can be an incredibly challenging and stressful situation. If you are trying to secure new housing, at-risk of losing your housing due to missed rent payments or you receive an N4: Notice to Evict for Non-Payment of Rent, there may be assistance available to you.  

Who is eligible

You may qualify if:

• You have low income and are at-risk of eviction or homelessness;
• You are 16 years of age or older;
• You live in Waterloo Region; and
• Your rent is sustainable for you over the long term.

How to apply

Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients should contact their caseworker if they are unable to pay their rent or have received an N4: Notice to Evict for Non-Payment of Rent to see if any additional funding is available through Social Assistance programs or from other community services, such as Starling Housing Services.

If you are not in receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program funds, you may be eligible for emergency funding administered by Ontario Works. To be assessed, please call the Ontario Works Intake Department at 519-883-2100; Option 1 or apply online at https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-emergency-assistance.

If you require additional assistance to apply, you may also visit one of the Region of Waterloo Welcome Space locations. As part of this application, we may also suggest you apply with other community resources as well, such as Starling Housing Services. Households can contact Starling Housing Services and a Housing Advisor will help you learn about what financial resources are available to help, once Ontario Works eligibility is determined.

Region of Waterloo Welcome Spaces can be reached at 519-575-4400. It is located at:

• 150 Main Street, Cambridge
• 20 Weber Street East, Kitchener
• 99 Regina Street South, Waterloo

Please ask to be assessed for emergency rent assistance when you call or visit.

Starling Housing Services can be reached at 519-749-2450. It is located at:

• 35 Dickson Street, Cambridge
• 41 Weber Street West, Kitchener