County of Wellington
Wellington and Guelph Housing Services
DIRECTIVE
Effective Date: January 4, 2006
Directive Number: 2006-03
This directive applies to housing providers funded under the following social housing programs:
Please note if your program is not checked, this communication is not applicable to your project(s).

Provincially Reformed Non-Profit Housing Programs (MNP, PNP & OCHAP)

Provincially Reformed Co-operative Housing Programs (Co-ops)

Municipal Non-Profit Housing Program (Section 56.1 Pre-1986)

County of Wellington units
Federal Non-Profit Housing Program (Section 56.1 Pre-1986)
Subject:
Local Rule – Pursuit of Income
LEGISLATED REFERENCE: Social Housing Reform Act (2000), O. Reg. 298/01 S. 12 & 7(5)
After consultation with County of Wellington Social Housing Providers, this Local Rule was approved by
Wellington County Council on November 16, 2005, for the purpose of creating a clear standard policy
and procedure for all local providers.
Background:
The Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 (The Act) requires that households receiving RGI assistance are
obliged to pursue certain forms of income that the Housing Provider believes they may be eligible for.
While The Act provides a framework for action, it does not spell out what is considered “reasonable
efforts” or how to implement a policy.
Direction:
Effective immediately, all County of Wellington Social Housing Providers are to implement the Local
Rule – Pursuit of Income as outlined in this Directive whenever the provider believes a RGI household
member may be eligible for one of the following sources of income:
1. Ontario Works
2. Support under the Divorce Act, Family Law Act or Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Orders Act
3. Employment Insurance Benefits
4. Pensions of benefits people aged 65 or older may be eligible to receive
5. Support or maintenance under the Immigration Act (Canada)
2006-03
Page 1 of 2
Wellington and Guelph Housing Services
DIRECTIVE
Exceptions:
1. Special Priority Households whose safety could be jeopardized in the pursuit of income.
2. If a person who is legally obliged to provide support is deceased or unknown (documentation is
required, such as copy of death certificate or sworn affidavit e.g. unknown parent of child)
3. If there is an unreasonable cost in the pursuit of a support order or situations where there would not
be a recognizable cost benefit to obtaining the additional income.
4. Tenants seeking support from former spouses can go to the provincial Family Responsibility Office if
they prefer not to approach their former spouse directly.
If the above exceptions do not apply, the Housing Provider must provide written notice to the household:
1. Stating that the household member may be eligible to receive this type of income (the type of
income must be specified in the notice).
2. Requesting that the household member apply for that income and make reasonable efforts to do
obtain a decision on their application and receive the income.
3. Giving the household a period of time (not less than 30 days) to respond to the Housing Provider
about the results of their application. The time period for receiving a response may vary to fit the
circumstances, but must be not less than 30 days.
Loss of Eligibility:
1. The household will become ineligible for RGI assistance if they do not make reasonable efforts to
pursue the income. They will be served a 90 day notice of loss of RGI eligibility and their unit will be
returned to market rent.
2. Once a household has been served the 90 day notice their RGI status will be reinstated if, prior to
the 1st day of the month following the 90 day notice, they demonstrate reasonable efforts to pursue
the specified income and provide written documentation of this.
Application:
Providers are to implement the above Local Rule effective immediately and ensure that their internal
policies and procedures reflect these processes. In all instances, providers must ensure that their
internal policies and processes provide for the exercise of discretion where extenuating circumstances
exist. If you have any questions regarding this directive, please contact your Housing Programmes
Advisor at 824-7822 ext. 416 or 424.
Joan Strachan
Acting Housing Director
2006-03
Page 2 of 2