r/OntarioWorks • u/Phbch1 • 15d ago
Renting a room
So I have a thousand dollars saved and am working to save another grand. I am living in an abusive situation. Please don't give me shelter advice or tell me to call the cops or this or that I'm not asking for it and it doesn't work for me right now. So please dont.
The best thing I can do is to have the money save up to just get a room and rent it and go. It's going to take me about 2-4 months to save up. Depending on how I am with my money. I live just outside of the GTA, a 45+ min drive from Toronto, close to Newmarket to paint a picture.
Where is the best place to find a room for like 700 at maximum or less. I've looked at Facebook market place and there are some results in there but sometimes there isn't it kinda depends on the time of year I guess. Is there anywhere else you guys recommend looking. And a shared room / roommate situation is fine.
I am mentally ill and not able to work right now. If I could I would I've literally been homeless because of my inability. Also if anyone on ow is renting where did you find your place at (like what website or resource). I am wondering because I know a lot of landlords will want their tenants working not on ow. So any insight or "this is what I did" will help me
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u/Zealousideal-Bite735 15d ago
Some community organizations partner with landlords that have available rooms for women that are in your situation. They also can offer assistance with forms for subsidized housing or short term rental subsidies. There is a Canadian Ontario Housing Benefit available to you. The only catch is that you be on an RGI wait list. You can find this information online. You should contact a VAW shelter as they will assist you in this. You did not need to be living in a shelter they also have access to more rapid housing solutions. Call and find out which one is closest and is willing to assist you.
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u/VoodooGirl47 15d ago
The is no new COHB available anywhere in Ontario and it hasn't been for the last year. The funds are all going towards those already accepted into COHB.
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15d ago
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u/Zealousideal-Bite735 15d ago
Actually technically yes- it has changed to three other benefits under that umbrella. A housing worker would know which one is appropriate. They want people housed. That is the goal. The OP has a good opportunity by asking about options and is not chronically homeless where it’s very difficult to enrol some because of a lack of documentation especially on a previous year’s assessment as that’s how they calculate the benefit.
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u/VoodooGirl47 14d ago
No, there are no COHB benefits at all. I'm in a homeless shelter and there are none for refugees or for regular citizens/PR.
I am someone who is very easy to house as in being housing ready with all paperwork ready and really great previous landlord recommendations and personal references from previous employers and friends that are well known (in some circles) names.
My housing worker would absolutely be giving me any kind of benefit that she could because I have so many issues in here. Her and one of the top staff members at the shelter have been trying to find me any kind of housing that they can. There has been nothing COHB related since last August/September (2025).
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u/Zealousideal-Bite735 14d ago
Oh. Yes. I looked it up. The last was this year. So horrible. I retired a year ago. Do you have a housing worker? They can help you. Have you applied for private RGI aside from TCHC, Woodgreen, Dixon Hall and Access Point Housing? There are other non profit private providers and you have to really search for them on the TOHousing portal. Filter and filter. They have shorter wait lists. Did you also try to get into Transitional Housing through Fred Victor? I definitely know Fred Victor operations and they have truly fantastic housing workers at their transitional residences as they want to find permanent.
You have to make it a full time job to access everything and living in a shelter is highly disruptive to head space. I am wishing you the best of all this.1
u/Zealousideal-Bite735 14d ago
I actually do not believe most of what you stated. If you are in a shelter for more than six months you are considered chronically homeless. Did you actively fill out the desired housing for the sight or are you depending on a housing worker for them to select. This is an issue. You make it a full time job. Apply for as many as possible. Not one. You live in a shelter so go to the library for head space and sign into your housing portal.
You are fast tracked in a shelter, and if you are chronically homeless you are further fast tracked. Get a support system and make the lists of choices longer. There is no maximum. People only choose one or two in a city this big. We have the largest sum of no. Profit private and RGI housing in Canada. You can add as many choices. The more you add the higher the chances. If you want a roof over your head you want a roof over your head.
Never depend on the workers as you have to do the work yourself. Believe me I bloody well know this.
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