There are several reasons a tenant may want or need a unit transfer. Below are the eligible categories for unit transfers as well as information about the application process.
Transfer categories and how to apply
Complete the Transfer Request Form (PDF) if you are requesting a transfer for any of the reasons other than Special Priority Program (SPP). For SPP, you will need to submit an application through the Rent-Geared-to-Income Subsidy program. For an Accessibility/Accommodation transfer request, you also need to fill out the Medical Questionnaire (PDF) and a consent form. By filling out the consent form you give us permission to disclose your personal information and to discuss your tenancy with Toronto Community Housing and with specified third parties if necessary. More information can be found on TSHC’s Accessibility Program webpage.
If you wish to move to a different unit or building, but do not qualify for any of the transfers listed below, you will need to apply to the Centralized Waiting List with the City of Toronto.
1. Special Priority Program for Survivors of Domestic Abuse or Human Trafficking: For more information, or to apply, go to the City of Toronto’s Priority Access webpage for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing.
2. Crisis Priority: To apply, speak with your Seniors Services Coordinator or contact the Tenant Support Centre at 416-945-0800.
What does a Crisis Priority mean?
To be eligible for this transfer, the tenant or authorized household member must be in crisis, meaning that they must be:
- a victim suffering intimidation; or
- a witness suffering intimidation; or
- a victim or witness of a traumatic incident.
For clarity, an authorized household member is an occupant declared (by the Tenant) and approved (by TSHC), and their income is used as part of the rent calculation for the Rent-Geared-to-Income program.
How to apply for a Crisis Priority transfer:
- Speak with your Seniors Services Coordinator (SSC); or
- Contact the Tenant Support Centre:
- Email support@torontoseniorshousing.ca or
- Phone 416-945-0800
You will need to complete a Transfer Request Form (PDF) and return it to your SSC, or you can mail it to:
Attention: Transfer Intake
423 Yonge St.
Second Floor
Toronto, ON
M5B 1T2
3. Over-housed: If you are on the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) program, you must tell your Seniors Services Coordinator if there are changes to who is living in your home within 30 days of the change.
What does Over-housed mean?
Being over-housed means you have more bedrooms in your unit than you are allowed based on how many people live with you. These rules come from the City of Toronto’s Local Occupancy Standards for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing.
If you are over-housed, and on the RGI program, the City requires you to move to a smaller unit that better fits your household size.
Over-housed transfers
If you are a rent-geared-to-income (RGI) household and you are living in a unit that is too large for your household as outlined in the City of Toronto’s Local Occupancy Standards for RGI, you will be notified and added to the Centralized Waiting List through the City’s Access to Housing. You will then be asked to choose locations from a minimum of five wards you are willing to move to.
If you have been over-housed for 12 months or longer (from the date you were issued the over-housed notice of decision), you may lose your RGI subsidy if you refuse an offer to transfer to a suitably-sized unit.
If you remove yourself from the Centralized Waiting List with the City’s Access to Housing, or fail to keep an active application, you may also lose your RGI subsidy. A household that loses its subsidy must pay the market rent and may stay in their unit.
4. Under-housed: You can apply for an extra bedroom if you have fewer bedrooms than allowed under the Rent-Geared-to-Income program. You can apply for an additional bedroom through your Seniors Services Coordinator.
What does Under-housed mean?
An RGI household living in a unit with fewer bedrooms than outlined in the City of Toronto’s Local Occupancy Standards
Under-housed transfers
If you are part of a Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) household and currently living in a unit that is too small for your family based on the City of Toronto’s Local Occupancy Standards, your household may be eligible to apply for an under-housed priority transfer.
Regional staff will review your application to determine if your household meets the criteria. If approved, your household will be placed on Toronto Seniors Housing’s internal transfer waitlist under the under-housed priority category.
To qualify, your current unit must be undersized by two or more bedrooms, according to the City’s occupancy guidelines (e.g., a maximum of two people per bedroom).
The City of Toronto’s Local Occupancy Standards for RGI Housing
The City of Toronto has set rules about how many bedrooms each Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) household is eligible for. These rules are called the Local Occupancy Standards.
- Adult household members who are spouses must share a bedroom. Two persons who live together are considered “spouses” if:
- the social and familial aspects of the relationship amount to cohabitation, and
- one individual provides financial support to the other, or
- the individuals have a mutual agreement or arrangement regarding their financial affairs.
- For adult household members other than spouses, a minimum of one and a maximum of two persons per bedroom.
- For children under the age of 18, no less than one and no more than two persons per bedroom where the unit contains three bedrooms or less.
- For children under the age of 18, no less than one and no more than three persons per bedroom where the unit contains more than three bedrooms, if the shared bedroom provides the minimum space required under the City’s Municipal Code Property Standards.
- A single parent may share a bedroom with a child if the applicant wants to share.
- Bachelor units are normally given to single persons. However, a two-person family is eligible for a bachelor unit, if the applicant requests it.
- A two-person family consists of either two spouses or a parent and child.
For more information, visit the City of Toronto’s website to see the Local Occupancy Standards rules that are part of the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Administration Manual.
If you have questions about the Local Occupancy Standards, talk to your Seniors Services Coordinator in your building. You can also email support@torontoseniorshousing.ca or call the Tenant Support Centre at 416-945-0800.
How to apply for an additional bedroom:
Households can apply for an additional bedroom if they:
- have shared custody or access rights for a child (under 18 years of age) who is not a member of the household; or
- need to accommodate a full-time overnight caregiver; or to store medical equipment; or
- have a medical, accessibility, or accommodation need (protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code) where they require an additional bedroom
Custody or Access Rights for a Child Form
If a member of the household is either a parent or legal guardian of a child who is not a member of the household and the additional bedroom is needed to provide overnight accommodation for at least 78 nights per year for that child, then they need to complete the Custody or Access Rights for a Child Form (PDF).
The household also must provide a court order or domestic contract that is valid under the Family Law Act that states that the bedroom is needed to provide adequate accommodation for that child for at least 78 nights per year.
Medical Need for an Additional Bedroom
If a member of the household needs a full-time overnight caregiver, then the household must have a licensed healthcare professional fill out the Medical Questionnaire (PDF) as well as one of the following:
- Home Care Agency’s Verification Form (PDF) if someone in the household requires a full-time overnight caregiver and the caregiver is provided through a home care agency
- Caregiver Verification Form (PDF) if someone in the household needs a full-time overnight caregiver and the caregiver is not affiliated with a home care agency
Accessibility and Accommodation
This applies if the tenant or authorized household member is asking for accommodation based on an Ontario Human Rights Code identified ground. All requests must be submitted to your Seniors Services Coordinator.
For clarity, an authorized household member is an occupant declared (by the Tenant) and approved (by TSHC), and their income is used as part of the rent calculation for the Rent-Geared-to-Income program.
The application must show the following:
- The request must be made on the basis of an Ontario Human Rights Code identified ground.
- For a disability-related request, the application must be supported by medical documentation showing that your needs can only be met by a transfer to another unit.
- For any Ontario Human Rights Code identified ground that does not relate to disability, the application must be supported by relevant documentation showing that your needs can only be met by a transfer to another unit.
Note: for accessibility and accommodation requests, Toronto Seniors Housing will always attempt to reasonably accommodate the need in the current unit before considering a transfer.
How to request a transfer to another unit
Tenants looking to transfer to a different Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) unit will need to add themselves to the City of Toronto’s Centralized Waiting List, managed by the Access to Housing team. You may contact Access to Housing directly at 416-338-8888 or apply online at myaccesstohousingto.ca to create an account.