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ACTO Discussion Paper - Social Assistance Review- Percentage of OW & ODSP Beneficiaries who rent in Private Market June 2011
- Comparison 1994-2010 of Rent to Shelter Allowance - Single Parent + 2 Children
- Average Rent 2010 - Shelter Allowance - Lone Parent + 2 Children
Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario
Adequate Shelter Allowance and Social Assistance Reform
A review of Ontario’s social assistance system is being conducted by a Commission appointed by the provincial government in November 2010. The two Commissioners, Frances Lankin and Munir Sheikh, released their first consultation paper, called “Issues and Ideas” in June 2011 as part of their preparation of recommendations and an action plan for reform. The Commission’s Discussion Paper asks questions about some key issues and problems in Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and also examines how to create an appropriate benefit structure.
ACTO made a written submission in response to the consultation paper, highlighting that the ultimate goal of any reform of the social assistance system has to be an adequate level of income for all recipients who must pay for the real costs of basic daily necessities, including shelter and utilities. Currently, the shelter allowance component of social assistance comes nowhere near to meeting the actual cost of housing for recipients.
The Commission is expected to submit a final report to the provincial government in June 2012.
