Portable Housing Benefit

The Portable Housing Benefit (PHB) provides a monthly benefit to eligible applicants. This benefit will help make market rental units more affordable.

Visit the Housing Services page for information on how to apply.

Eligibility

If you are eligible for housing assistance, have filed your most recent Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax return and received a Notice of Assessment (NOA) you may be eligible for the PHB. Applicants are selected in the same way as traditional housing assistance units. We maintain a waitlist for the PHB.

Income tax filing

All members of the household with income must file income tax returns and receive a NOA from the CRA. Failure to do so by July 1 will result in the household no longer being eligible for the benefit.

Private market rentals

If you express interest and are offered a benefit, you will be given a maximum of 60 days to find a private market rental unit within Lambton County and sign a lease.

If you are currently living in a private market unit in Lambton County and have a signed lease, your current home may meet program requirements.

Program funding is portable. If you move within Lambton County, the funding goes with you as long as you remain eligible for the program and are able to secure another private market rental.

Payments

The benefit payments will be made by direct deposit to the household. Direct deposit information must be supplied. The benefit is taxable and you will receive a T5007 Statement of Benefits annually from the County of Lambton.

Benefit amount

The amount of the benefit will be calculated as follows:

(80% AMR) less (AFNI x 30% / 12)

AMR (Average Market Rent) is the average market rent for a rental unit of an appropriate size and type for the household, based on local occupancy standards, in the Service Manager's service area as determined by CMHC or Alternate AMR, if approved. The 2019 Alternate AMR is as follows:

1 bed - $950
2 bed - $1,150
3 bed - $1,400
4 bed or larger - $1,700

AFNI (Adjusted Family Net Income) is equal to the sum of the net income of each member of the household aged 16 and older, excluding dependents attending a recognized educational institution. Net income is the amount on line 236 of an individual's latest NOA, less any Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) income plus any RDSP amounts repaid.

If in receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program, the benefit amount will be the lessor between the above calculation and the difference between your actual shelter cost and the maximum shelter allowance.

Maximum benefit amount

The maximum amount of the monthly benefit is calculated as 80% AMR - $129. Despite this calculation, if the household is in receipt of Social Assistance (OW or ODSP) the maximum amount of the benefit is the actual shelter cost less the maximum shelter allowance.

Minimum benefit amount

If the amount of the calculated monthly benefit is less than $25, the benefit amount is determined to be $0.

PHB calculation examples

Example 1

A single individual with a 2018 annual income of $18,000 would receive a monthly benefit of $310.00.

(80% of $950) less (30% of $18,000 / 12) = $310

Example 2

A single individual with a 2018 annual income of $18,000 who is now on ODSP with a total shelter cost of $900 would receive a monthly benefit of $310.00.

Lesser of: (80% of $950) less (30% of $18,000 / 12) = $310 OR $900 - $497 = $403

Example 3

A single parent with 2 children under the age of 16 with a 2018 annual income of $22,000 would receive a monthly benefit of $570.00.

(80% of $1,400) less (30% of $22,000 / 12) = $570

Example 4

A couple with an adult child no longer in school with a combined 2018 household annual income of $36,000 would receive a monthly benefit of $0.

(80% of $1,150) less (30% of $36,000 / 12) = $20

Minimum Amount = if the monthly benefit is less than $25, the benefit is $0.

Example 5

A single individual with a 2018 annual income of $3,000 would receive a monthly benefit of $675.

(80% of $950) less (30% of $3,000 / 12) = $685

Maximum benefit amount is (80% of $950) less $85 = $675

Example 6

A single individual with 2 children under the age of 16 with a 2018 annual income of $12,000 who is currently in receipt of Ontario Works with a total shelter cost of $1,300 would receive a monthly benefit of $603.

Lesser of: (80% of $1,400) less (30% of $12,000 / 12) = $820 OR $1,300 less $697 = $603