Housing advocates in the city of Toronto encourage the continuation of the rent grant program to help those facing permanent eviction.

The Toronto Rent Bank was originally a program issuing interest-free loans to low-income families. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was converted into a one-year grant program.

Since the launch of the pilot project last April, the city has provided grants either for rent arrears or rental deposits to 1,744 families who were able to avoid eviction - an increase of 594 compared to 2020.

For his part, Toronto ACORN team member Kerry Vadivelu said this program was vital for keeping a roof over people's heads.

He added, "In the past two years, we have seen many evictions go through the Landlord and Tenant Board and how they can be avoided, even if there was temporary relief to help tenants."

The Planning and Housing Committee is considering converting the Rent Bank into a permanent grant-based program with some operational modifications, including waiving some or all of the previously issued loans.

According to city staff, the funding for the Rent Bank in 2023 and subsequent years will include $1.9 million from city funds and $3 million from the Homelessness Prevention Program, which was launched on April 1, 2022.

Grants for rent arrears can reach up to $4,000 or three months' rent, while grants for rental deposits are divided based on the size of the rented unit.

York South Weston, Toronto Centre, and Scarborough Centre were the areas where most of the grants were distributed.

Bond says, "There is no decline in the number of people facing rental problems in the city." "Based on the responses we received, we heard from people interested in receiving the grant or assistance that it was due to the level of financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic."

Bond added, "We also made some other changes to reach as many people as possible and help maintain the stability of their housing, which is critical to their recovery from the pandemic."

This included increasing family income eligibility criteria by $15,000.

Bond adds that there will also be an opportunity to review the program if it continues.

He explained, "We look forward to reviewing that every year and seeing if we can expand access to the largest possible segment." "We have seen a rise in the number of rent arrears experienced by tenants, so we will just monitor that and, if necessary, bring more reports to the council to expand the program if we need to."

Vadivelu mentioned that converting the program from a loan program to a grant was very helpful in keeping people away from the difficult experience of eviction.

Vadivelu added, "Many people are already at the bottom, especially the working class, and have no way to improve their situation." "Most of us live on paid wages, and when this pandemic came, we were unprepared."

Vadivelu explained that this will not solve the housing crisis that has accumulated in Toronto over the past thirty years.

And the real solution in his opinion is to build affordable housing. It will take a long time to make up for all this shortage, but the permanent rent grant is one step in the right direction to relieve some pressure."

The committee will vote on the recommendation to make the program permanent on Tuesday before going to city council.

Edited by: Dima Abu Khair