Rent Supplement Program
This program needs a complete re-think.
The Greater Sudbury Housing Corporation (GSHC) is responsible for administering rent supplement agreements in 653 units owned by private landlords. They account for 14% of the assisted housing portfolio in the city.
Program is under-utilized
This program is under-utilized due to unwillingness of landlords to renew agreements as they expire. Since 2019, 109 rental units have been lost through these agreements. As of January 2024, 159 more agreements were terminated as the current tenants vacated these units.
Why?
Private landlords have cited a rise in tenant mental health issues, crime, social issues and safety concerns for other tenants as factors for not renewing these agreements.
Costs
In 2023, costs for rent supplements and subsidies for co-op and non-profit housing amounted to approximately $16 million.
—page 25 Greater Sudbury’s Roadmap to Ending Homelessness May 2024
Appendix A
Appendix A lists the action plans to address the issues raised on homelessness.
I was not able to fine anything there that directly related to the Rent Supplement Program.
Below is the only item I found that could be related:
Recommendation:
Housing Loss Prevention Strategy
Description
The development of a Housing Loss Prevention Strategy is needed in collaboration between housing services, housing operations and social services departments, to remove barriers and implement processes that support easier access to housing and increase support to tenants within these units.
Estimated Cost:
Costs dependent on scope of review and strategy.
Key Performance Indicators:
Not Available.
From the city’s web site (October 2024):
The following properties are owned by private landlords and qualify for subsidies through the Rent Supplement Program. Because they are privately owned we do not have detailed information on them at this time.
Lively
• 1 Coronation Blvd., Lively
Sudbury—Downtown/West End
• 263 Brady St.
• 111 Larch St.
• 200 Ste. Anne Rd.
• 300 Albinson St.
• 117 Mont Adam St.
Sudbury—South End
• 1147 Ramsey View Crt.
• 1525 Paris St.
• 1749 Paris St.
• 870 Beverly Dr.
• 884 Regent St.
Sudbury—New Sudbury
• 183 Mitchell St.
• 721 Lasalle Blvd.
• 775 Lasalle Blvd.
If this program is to survive in the private sector—which it should—then the landlords will need assurances that the tenants that are placed in their units have been vetted and are able and willing to follow the building’s rules.