About Social Housing

1. Who is eligible for Social Housing?
2. How can I obtain social housing?
3. What other information do I need to provide?
4. When applying, what are the most important things to consider?
5. How are people chosen for Social Housing?
6. How much will I pay?
7. When will I be contacted about available housing?
8. Is there any wheelchair accessible housing?
9. When is a person considered to be living independently?
10. Will my chance for housing increase the longer my application is on file?
11. What size of a unit do I qualify for?
12. Can I get help filling out an application?
13. Where can I call for current application status?

1. Who is eligible for Social Housing?

   Persons eligible for social housing must meet the following criteria:

   • Your total annual household income must be below $32,500 ($65,000 in Labrador West and north coastal Labrador)
   • Be capable of independent living (with written confirmation of supports if required, as stated above)
   • Be a Canadian citizen or have legal immigrant or refugee claimant status
   • Have no arrears with Newfoundland Power
   • All applicants must provide an “Option C”
   • Have no household member who has been convicted of an offence related to AES rent geared-to-income assistance
   • Must not have been evicted for just cause by a landlord
   • Have no outstanding arrears or other previous action with NLHC

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2. How can I obtain social housing?

   • Rental application forms are available from any of seven NLHC regional offices: St. John’s, Marystown, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Stephenville and Happy Valley-Goose Bay
   • Applications can also be downloaded from our corporate web site.

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3. What other information do I need to provide?

   • If you have any special needs that require supports (accessibility, medical, etc.), you will need a written letter from the appropriate professional (physician, social worker, etc.)
   • Your AES file number if the Department of Advanced Education and Skills (AES) is making rental payments on your behalf. Documentation clearly indicating your legal right to be in Canada. This may include, but is not limited to:
     • A copy of your Canadian birth certificate and same for all household members
     • Landed immigrant papers, permanent resident card; or
     • Documents supporting your claim for refugee status

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4. When applying, what are the most important things to consider?

   • The more areas you select to live the sooner an applicant may be placed (housing neighbourhood maps are included in most regional applications)
   • Only one offer of housing is made when an applicant’s name is selected for housing
   • Please note that applications are only valid for 12 months, after 12 months applicants must reapply
   • Victims of Violence, persons with complex needs, persons who require fully accessible accommodations and persons who are homeless are exempt from the 12-month application process

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5. How are people chosen for Social Housing?

   • With the assistance of on-staff social workers, all applications are reviewed weekly based on need—those determined to be in greatest need are given priority
   • For example, victims of violence are given priority as well as applicants with critical medical needs (cancer, kidney disease, heart conditions, or other life-threatening illnesses)
   • Individuals with mobility issues (those in wheelchairs or who need ground level access or units with elevators) are also considered a priority

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6. How much will I pay?

   • Rent is based on 25 per cent of net annual household income. Rental adjustments are made depending on what utilities may or may not be included with the unit
   • The amount you pay is reviewed annually. Households on income support and seniors receiving pensions are assessed every three years
   • You are required to report income and family composition changes
   • NLHC will subsidize heating costs

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7. When will I be contacted about available housing?

   When you are the next applicant on the list, we will contact you.  You may be called for an interview.


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8. Is there any wheelchair accessible housing?

   Yes. If you have special needs that require supports (accessibility, medical, etc.), please attach a written letter from the appropriate professional (physician, social worker, etc.).


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9. When is a person considered to be living independently?

   An individual is considered to be able to live independently if:

   • He or she can perform the normal essential activities of day-to-day living; or
   • He or she has arranged the support services required to live independently. The applicant must arrange support services

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10. Will my chance for housing increase the longer my application is on file?

    • Your position on the wait list may change each time a new application for housing is received
    • Wait times depend on the number of applicants seeking the same bedroom count that you require and how often tenants move out and a vacancy becomes become available
    • Households most in need are served first

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11. What size of a unit do I qualify for?

    The size of a unit required for your household is governed by the National Occupancy Standards, which states that:

    • There should be no more than two or less than one person per bedroom
    • Spouses and couples share a bedroom
    • Parents do not share a bedroom with children
    • Dependents aged 18 or older do not share a bedroom
    • Dependents aged 5 or older of opposite sex do not share a bedroom

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12. Can I get help filling out an application?

    Yes. A NLHC staff member from the regional office in your area will gladly assist you.


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13. Where can I call for current application status?

    For NLHC current application status, please contact your local regional office:

    Avalon Regional Office	(709) 724-3000
    Corner Brook	(709) 639-5201
    Gander	(709) 256-1300
    Goose Bay	(709) 896-1920
    Grand Falls-Windsor	(709) 292-1000
    Marystown	(709) 279-5375
    Stephenville	(709) 643-6826


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