These groups probably comprise at least 25% of the renting population, with the
other 75% working full-time. Since the middle class and above tend to own
property, those who rent tend to be from these groups and the working class.
SHARING SPACES
The cost of renting an average apartment is affordable to these groups if they are
willing to share the space and rent. Basic Welfare funding comes from the city
and is generally lower than Disability Welfare, which comes from the province.
Even the working class sometimes share spaces and rent having a limited
budget with the minimum wage as it is.
SAMPLE SHARED ARRANGEMENTS
2 women on Basic Welfare of $520 each, coming from a shelter and eager to
Sample 2 is where 2 women are on Basic Welfare of $520 each, but since they both
Sample 3 is where a woman leaves a shelter and applies for a bachelor apartment worth $600
start an independent life again, decide they are willing to be matched and placed
in a one-bedroom unit of $800 including utilities. One takes the room and the
other the living room for their 'bedrooms', but during the day they share the
common areas such as the living room, kitchen, bathroom and dining room.
Social Services (Ontario Works) pays $400 for each, with this rental portion automatically
deducted and mailed to the property office (although sometimes having the room costs more and the
other paying less) and since the utilities are included, they have no bills to worry
about, except for maybe a phone. They each have $120 extra for other
expenses. They are both eligible for weekly food bank rations. Also, if they
volunteer for a non-profit organization, they can get an extra $100 a month. One
of them decides to study for 1 year under a government-funded program; the
other is planning to work part-time.
want a room, we place them in a 2-bedroom apartment costing $925 including
utilities. Social Services pays $462.50 a month for each tenant. Both intend to find work and
join job clubs. They are eligible for food bank rations and can volunteer for that
extra $100. They both came from middle class backgrounds and are leaving
marriages where they previously owned houses.
including utilities, Ontario Works pays for the first and last months rents using the start-up of $799 and
Basic Welfare of $500 and goes to a food bank, but switches to EI by the second month
and is working on her own business and as an office temporary thru an agency.
She hopes to get accepted by the EI-funded Self Employment Assistance (SEA)
business training program for 1 year to develop her own website-based business.