Review of Social Housing Decisions in Ottawa

Decisions about who gets into social housing, and who gets a subsidy while they are there, are very important to people who cannot afford to rent or buy their home in the private market. The Social Housing Reform Act set rules about rents and eligibility and provides for appeals for tenants and applicants if they do not agree with the landlords’ decisions. But these appeals – called “internal reviews”- are usually just to another employee of the landlord.

ACTO worked hard to get a proper appeal system put in place across Ontario. Although social housing landlords agreed to a system that would include tenant and government representatives, the Provincial Government refused to bring in the Regulations that were needed. But the City of Ottawa agreed to set up a new appeal system and try it for a few years to see if it worked for everyone involved.

Under this system a panel made up of three people hears appeal from tenants or applicants:

One person from the Social Housing Department of the City of Ottawa;
One person from the landlord (for tenant appeals) or from the Housing Registry (for appeals by people applying for housing); and
One person from organizations that assist people to find housing or advocate for tenants.

The panel can overturn the decision of the landlord or the Housing Registry if the proper procedures were not followed or if the decision is otherwise wrong. ACTO and the community legal clinics in Ottawa http://www.aidejuridiqueottawalegalaid.ca/en/ continue to work with the City to make this new system work.

ACTO prepared a manual for the panel members to help them understand the legal requirements of the Social Housing Reform Act and how to conduct a proper hearing.

The new appeal system has being evaluated and a report will go to the City of Ottawa Council to decide if it should be continued. The evaluation was very positive and ACTO is working to have a similar system adopted all across Ontario.