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Have you had a maintenance or repair visit recently?  HNHC needs your feedback!

In April, staff began reaching out to residents for feedback on their maintenance and repair visits.  We received valuable feedback and decided to make this an ongoing process.  We also decided we needed to thank our residents for their time and helpful comments.  Starting this month, we have begun a draw on the last day of each month.  All residents who completed a maintenance & repair survey in that month will be eligible to win a Tim Horton’s gift card.

There are three ways to win.  Staff will reach out to as many residents as possible for a phone survey.  Residents can also fill out the survey online by visiting https://hnhousing.ca/repair-maintenance-survey/  or clicking here.  And soon we will be installing survey boxes in the lobbies of our buildings where residents can complete a survey card and just drop it in the box.  Keep an eye out for these!

The surveys can be anonymous, but we can only enter you in the draw if you include your name.

Today we pulled the first winners from participants from April through July.  They’ll be receiving their cards by mail in the next few days.  Maybe you can be a winner too!

Dunnville Non-Profit Housing Corporation Requests Applications for Volunteer Board Members

The Dunnville Non-Profit Housing Corporation is seeking applications from residents in Dunnville or the surrounding area who are interested in joining our Board of Directors.   The organization was created in 1988 by local community members with an interest in providing affordable housing to families in the community.  The Corporation is the owner of 60 family townhouses in Dunnville, Ontario locally known as Thompson Creek Court.  The Corporation operates its business under the Housing Services Act, Residential Tenancies Act, local municipal directives, and other sector-related legislation.  There is flexibility; however, for the Corporation to develop local policies as required.

The Board of Directors is composed of community-minded individuals with an interest and commitment to affordable housing.  The corporation is primarily a governance board with the responsibility of ensuring that it meets its financial and regulatory obligations to the local municipality and province of Ontario.  Applicants who are interested in learning about community housing will find this volunteer experience rewarding.

We are currently seeking board members to serve for a term of three years starting September 27, 2021.  Meetings are held in Dunnville, for approximately 2 hours at 1:00 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the following months:  February, April, June, September, and November.  A professional board package is mailed in advance to all board members for their review prior to each meeting.

Board members are required to have internet access and email.  Interested applicants can request an application by emailing hnhc@hnhousing.ca.

An application can also be downloaded here.

We thank you for considering this local volunteer opportunity.

A recent bulletin posted by Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, states that;

“Based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), the guideline on rent increases for 2022 in Ontario is 1.2%.”

Further stating that;

“The rent increase guideline is the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant’s rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). It is applicable to most rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2022.”

This guideline does not apply to Rent-Geared-to-Income units, except where tenants are paying market rent.

It’s important to know that to increase rents, landlords must give at least 90 days’ written notice at least 12 months after the first day of tenancy or last rent increase.

The 2021 rent increase freeze will end December 31. Landlords can send a rent increase notice that takes effect in 2022 before the freeze is lifted (i.e., 90 days).

To learn more about the rules for residential rent increases visit Ontario’s website.

To learn more about Landlord and Tenant rights, visit the Landlord and Tenant Board website.  A guide to the Residential Tenancies Act is also available and provides valuable information all Landlords and Tenants should know.

Rent freeze for 2021

The Government of Ontario has passed legislation to freeze rent at 2020 levels. This means that rents will not increase in 2021 for the vast majority of rented units covered under the Residential Tenancies Act.

The rent freeze applies to most tenants living in:

• rented houses, apartments, and condos (including units occupied for the first time for residential purposes after November 15, 2018)
• basement apartments
• care homes (including retirement homes)
• mobile home parks
• land lease communities
• rent-geared-to-income units and market rent units in community housing
• affordable housing units created through various federally and/or provincially funded programs

While the rent freeze will end on December 31, 2021, landlords can give proper 90 days’ notice beforehand for a rent increase that takes effect in 2022.

Exceptions

• Above guideline increases approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board prior to October 1, 2020, may be applied to 2021 rents. New above guideline increases may still be approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board and may still be applied to 2021 rents if they are for costs related to eligible capital repairs and security services, but not if they are for extraordinary increases in municipal taxes and charges.
• Tenants and landlords can still agree on rent increases in exchange for an extra service or facility (for example, air conditioning or parking).

For more information, visit Ontario’s webpage for Landlords and Tenants.

The South & Metcalfe Non-Profit Housing Corporation, operating as Quetzal Family Homes, will hold their Annual General Meeting on:

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

by Zoom Web Conference

Any community members who would like to attend are welcome.  Please RSVP by June 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. by email to hnhc@hnhousing.ca to receive a Zoom link by return email as well as a copy of the PDF AGM package.

Big changes coming July 1, 2021!

The Ontario government has changed the legislation (Housing Services Act, 2011 – Ontario Regulation 316/19 Determination of Geared-to-income Rent under Section 50 of the Act) to simplify the rent-geared-to-income program.

What does this mean for our tenants? 

• Less paperwork to hand in each year – watch for new annual household review packages in the mail
• Rent charges remain the same for 12 months making it easier to budget
• Mid-year changes in your rent are allowed only in certain situations and only once per year
• You must file your tax return each year to remain eligible for subsidy
• Changes in your household income or occupancy still must be reported within 30 days but may not affect your rent calculation until your lease renewal
• Income for all full-time students is exempt
• Child support income is now exempt

Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, all households will have their RGI calculation reviewed using the new rules.  You will be required to submit your most recent Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income Statement. Both are available online or call the Canada Revenue Agency to have a copy mailed to you – 1-800-267-6999 or log in to My Account on the CRA website.

Questions?  Please call your PMA, either Clair ext. 113 or Kyra ext. 116.  They are here to help you!

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Residents of Norfolk County call 519-426-7792

Residents of Haldimand County call 1-800-265-2819