Rent Assistance Programs

Help with Rent

The District recognizes that current supply of housing options across Muskoka does not fully respond to the range of needs in the housing market, particularly for low and moderate income households living or working in Muskoka.

Below you will find rent programs that can assist you with paying your rent or retirement home fees.

For a list of rental locations operated by the District of Muskoka where rents are charged below market rent, click the following link: Affordable Rent Locations in Muskoka

yellow sticky note pinned to a bulletin board that reads "pay rent"

Rent Supplement Program

The Rent Supplement program supports individuals and families who need some assistance to make their monthly rent more affordable.

The program provides eligible tenants a monthly rent supplement (of up to $500) that is paid directly to their landlord. The tenant is responsible for paying the remaining balance of rent directly to the landlord.

Rent supplement amounts range from $235 to $500 per month and are based on household size, income, rental rate, etc. Rents must be at or below the Average Market Rent which is set annually based on data collected by Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation.

Am I Eligible for a Rent Supplement?

Rent supplements are available to applicants whose annual income is at or below the limit set by the District of Muskoka.
Rent supplements are available to applicants already living in rental units or those who are looking for a new rental unit to live in.

How Do I Apply?

Applications are available online at the following link: Rent Supplement Application. You can also obtain a paper copy of the application by calling 705-645-2412.

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Landlord Rent Supplement Program

Landlords may be eligible to enter into rent supplement agreements where they receive a direct payment for a portion of the monthly rent (supplement amounts range from $235 to $500 per unit per month) toward rental units.

Eligible Units

Units will be subject to visual inspection (must be in good repair and with no outstanding compliance orders)
Rent must be at or below the Average Market Rent for the District of Muskoka, which is set annually based on data collected by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Rent increases over the five year period of the Rent Supplement agreement will be in accordance with applicable Provincial legislation.
Applications for multiple unit agreements are made by the Landlord, who following the signing of an agreement selects the Tenants, and refers the Tenants for income testing (for In Situ or single unit agreements, application is typically made by the Tenant, and on approval is followed by an agreement with the Landlord)
Landlords sign initial agreements for up to 5 years
For multi-unit Rent Supplement Agreements, supplements will be fixed for similar units based on unit size, rent and utility inclusion (for In Situ, the supplement level will be based on such factors as household/unit size, rent for unit, utility inclusion, household composition, income, and other non-discretionary expenses)
Monthly Rent Supplement payments are paid directly to the Landlord

How Do I Apply?

Please contact us at 705-645-2412 ext. 4326

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Retirement Home Fee Assistance

Need Help Paying Your Retirement Home Fees?

The Retirement Home Fee Assistance program provides eligible applicants with a monthly supplement that is paid directly to their retirement home operator.

Am I Eligible?

Available to residents currently living in a retirement home or that are looking for a new retirement home in which to live

Income must be at or below $35,000 and assets must be at or below $50,000
Applicants must provide a letter of support from a primary care provider confirming they are not able to live independently
Retirement homes must demonstrate compliance with all relevant provincial legislation including licensing through the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA)

How Much Will My Supplement Be?

Assistance is an average of $500 per month
Monthly payments are made directly to the retirement home operator

How Do I Apply?

Applications are available online at the following link: Retirement Home Fee Assistance Application

You can also request a paper copy of this application by calling 705-645-2412.