TENANT TRANSFER POLICY Tenant Guidelines

Transcription

1 TENANT TRANSFER POLICY Tenant Guidelines INTRODUCTION - GENERAL INFORMATION... 2 Eligibility for Transfer... 2 Priority and Non-Priority Transfers... 2 Selection Process... 3 Application Process... 3 Special Needs Unit... 4 NON-PRIORITY TRANSFER... 4 Arrears... 4 Documentation required... 4 TRANSFER PRIORITIES... 5 Special Priority (SPP)... 5 Eligibility Criteria... 5 Documentation required... 5 Arrears... 5 Overhoused Priority Transfer... 6 Eligibility Criteria... 6 Arrears... 7 Documentation required... 7 Safety at Risk Priority... 7 Eligibility Criteria... 7 Arrears... 8 Documentation... 8 Medical Priority... 9 Eligibility Criteria... 9 Arrears... 9 Documentation Transfer Review Committee for Safety at Risk & Medical Priority Three Refusal Process for Safety at Risk & Medical Priority Underhoused Priority Status Eligibility Criteria Arrears Documentation City of Toronto Occupancy Standards Shared Accommodation or Bachelor Unit Request for Additional Bedrooms DEFINITIONS Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 1 of 15

2 INTRODUCTION - GENERAL INFORMATION The Tenant Transfer Policy was approved by the Board of Directors in July The policy provides a framework to assist Toronto Community Housing Rent-Geared-to-Income households (RGI) to move from one Toronto Community Housing unit to another. The policy meets legislative requirements set out by the Housing Services Act, 2011 (HSA), and the City of Toronto s Occupancy Standards. It also supports Toronto Community Housing s commitment to providing quality service to tenants. Toronto Community Housing has developed these guidelines to: Assist Tenants and ensure they understand the Tenant Transfer Policy This policy and guideline do not apply to transfer requests from: Market Rent tenants Affordable Rent tenants Rent Supplement tenants Tenants who want to move to a different Housing Provider and leave Toronto Community Housing. In order to move to a different housing provider, the tenant must apply at Housing Connections by calling or by visiting their website at If a tenant wants to move to a Housing Provider outside of Toronto, they would need to contact that Housing Provider directly. Eligibility for Transfer Any Rent Geared-to-Income (RGI) household who is eligible for RGI subsidy can apply for a transfer to another Toronto Community Housing unit. This includes tenants in selfcontained units and shared accommodation. A household that is eligible for RGI can request a transfer at any time. There is no required wait period. The household can apply as early as the first day they move into their unit. Priority and Non-Priority Transfers Toronto Community Housing is required by law to set certain types of transfer requests as a priority. Transfer requests that meet the definition for a priority transfer must be offered before non-priority transfer requests, and chronologically in the order they are approved. The Tenant Transfer Policy sets out Toronto Community Housing will give priority to transfer requests in the following order: Special Priority (victims of abuse in their home) (Legislated) Overhoused (Legislated) Safety at Risk/Medical Underhoused (based on the new Local Occupancy Standards, household s current unit does not meet the minimum bedroom size requirement household is eligible for by two or more bedrooms) NOTE A Household that is eligible for two or more priorities will be approved for and placed in the higher priority category. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 2 of 15

3 The highest priority is for victims of abuse. All housing providers are required by the Housing Services Act (HSA) to give priority to victims of abuse. Selection Process On the Transfer Map, the household must indicate the developments they would like to transfer to Each development and unit size has its own transfer waiting list Priority transfer requests are put at the top of the waiting list in the order of priority as noted above. These are followed by non-priority transfer requests In each priority category, the requests are listed chronologically, in the order of the date the priority application was approved When an RGI unit becomes available, staff must offer it to the first suitable household listed at the top of the waiting list for that development NOTE Toronto Community Housing staff will NOT be able to give out a household s ranking on the internal transfer waiting list as this ranking changes daily depending on newly approved priority applications. Application Process The Transfer Request Form is available on the TCH website at: your Operating Unit or Contract Management Office, or by contacting the Client Care Centre at where you can request to have one mailed out to you. Special Priority (Victim of Abuse) Tenant(s) who wish to apply for Special Priority must contact Housing Connections at or Housing Connections is responsible for reviewing and approving Special Priority applications. NOTE Housing Connections will inform the household and housing provider whether the Special Priority application is approved. Housing Connections will use the contact information provided by the applicant. Safety at Risk & Medical Priority The Special Initiatives Clerk and the Toronto Community Housing Transfer Review Committee are responsible for reviewing these applications and deciding whether the documentation provided meets the criteria for the priority. If approved: The Transfer Review Committee will notify the household in writing that the transfer request was approved and the bed size the household was approved for. If denied: The Special Initiatives Clerk or the Transfer Review Committee will notify the household in writing outlining the reason(s) the application was not approved. NOTE For Safety at Risk and Medical Priority applications that have been denied, the household may re-apply at any time by filling out a new Transfer Request Form, Transfer maps and by providing new supporting documentation. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 3 of 15

4 Overhoused, Underhoused and Non-Priority The Operating Unit and Contract Management staff are responsible for reviewing these applications and deciding whether the application meets the criteria for a priority. Households can apply for a non-priority transfer at any time. If approved: Operating Unit or Contract Management staff will notify the household in writing that the transfer request was approved and the bed size the household was approved for. If denied: Operating Unit or Contract Management staff will notify the household in writing outlining the reason(s) the application was not approved. Incomplete applications: If the Transfer Request Form or required supporting documentation is incomplete, Operating Unit or Contract Management staff will return the transfer request to the household (within 48 hours of receipt), indicating what information or documentation is missing. Special Needs Unit Toronto Community Housing s Accessibility Program allows tenants living with disabilities to work with staff to make accessibility improvements in their units. More information about the Accessibility Program can be found on the TCH website at NON-PRIORITY TRANSFER OBJECTIVE To move an RGI household from one Toronto Community Housing unit to another. Eligibility Criteria All Rent-Geared-to-Income households of Toronto Community Housing may apply for a non-priority transfer. Arrears The household must have no outstanding balance at the time of applying, offering, or at lease signing. If the household has an outstanding balance at the time of leasing, the offer will be counted as a refusal. If after signing the lease agreement for the new unit, the household has rental arrears or incurs charges and does not make payment in full prior to moving to the unit, they will be allowed to move to the unit, but Toronto Community Housing may commence legal proceedings to recover the outstanding arrears, which may include loss of eligibility, termination of the lease and eviction. Documentation required A completed Transfer Request Form and Transfer Map for the bed size the household is eligible for. These need to be dropped off, faxed or mailed to your Operating Unit or Contract Management Office. **Note** A household applying for a transfer can only be placed on the internal transfer waiting list for one bed size (For example, based on the Local Occupancy Standards, a household that is eligible for a 3 or 4 bedroom unit, the household must decide whether they want to be added to the internal transfer waiting list for either a 3 or 4 bed unit because the household can only be placed on one of the internal transfer waiting lists, not both) Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 4 of 15

5 Three Refusal Process for Non-Priority Transfer If a household refuses three valid offers of transfer to a different unit, their application will be cancelled. The household must re-apply for the non-priority transfer. The household will be added to the internal transfer waiting list with a new date. TRANSFER PRIORITIES Special Priority (SPP) (Victim of Abuse) OBJECTIVE To move a Special Priority status tenant(s) (any member of the household) to a Toronto Community Housing unit away from the abuser. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for Special Priority, the tenant (any member of the household) must complete the Special Priority Internal Transfer Application, Declaration of Abuse and Confirmation of Abuse forms, available via the Housing Connections web site. Tenant s requesting a Special Priority transfer must also meet the following criteria: 16 years of age or older Experienced abuse Lives with or has lived with their abuser within the past 3 months, and Plans to live permanently apart from the abuser For more information about the Special Priority eligibility criteria, contact Housing Connections at or Arrears No outstanding balance, or A signed repayment agreement for 50% of the outstanding balance incurred while they were living in the unit. **Note** If the Special Priority household member did not have any income of their own used in the monthly RGI rent calculation, the Special Priority household member would not be responsible for any of the outstanding arrears or tenant charges. However, if the Special Priority household has temporarily left the unit and moved to a shelter for safety reasons while awaiting a transfer, this household is not responsible for any arrears incurred after they moved into the shelter if the Special Priority household s income stops when they entered the shelter. In these cases, there must be verification of: Income change, and Date the Special Priority household entered the shelter, and Confirmation that the Special Priority household is still living at the shelter. Documentation required To qualify for Special Priority status, the tenant (any member of the household) must provide the following: A completed Special Priority Internal Transfer Application form. Available on Housing Connections website at Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 5 of 15

6 Applicant Declaration of Abuse. A form that is filled out by the tenant to declare the abuse and provide information regarding the abuser and the living arrangements between the tenant and the abuser. Confirmation of Abuse. A support letter from a professional who is eligible to provide confirmation of abuse that verifies tenant has been abused. This professional also has to sign the Housing Connections Confirmation of Abuse form. (see Confirmation of Abuse form for a list of eligible professionals who can provide a support letter to verify the abuse) Proof of cohabitation. A document issued by the Operating Unit or Contract Management office staff that verifies that the tenant lives or lived with the abuser, lists all other members on the lease and the duration of the tenancy. (i.e. HMS print out, lease, letter from Operating Unit Manager, Contract Manager or Tenant Services Coordinator). All applications for Special Priority Transfer must be submitted to Housing Connections, not the Operating Unit or Contract Management Office. More information on how to apply can be found on the Housing Connections website at by calling them at , or by visiting them at 176 Elm Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M4 during their office hours. Loss of Special Priority Status The tenant (any member of the household) will lose their Special Priority Status if the tenant: advises Toronto Community Housing that the abuser is deceased, or wants to add the abuser to the Lease, or accepts an offer for another RGI unit Three Refusal Process for Special Priority Transfer If a household refuses three valid offers of transfer to a different unit, their application will be cancelled. The household must re-apply for the priority transfer with Housing Connections. The household will be added to the waiting list with a new date. Overhoused Priority OBJECTIVE To move a household from a unit that has more bedrooms than needed, to the appropriate sized unit as defined in the City of Toronto s Occupancy Standards. Eligibility Criteria Household lives in a unit that has more bedrooms than they are eligible for. Exception: Death of household member. If an RGI household has more bedrooms than allowed under local occupancy standards due to the death of a member of the household, the household is not classified as overhoused for a period of 6 months after the death. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 6 of 15

7 Arrears The household must have a zero balance or a written repayment agreement 1 at the time of leasing. If the terms of the repayment agreement are not followed after the household has moved to a new location, legal action may be taken to Small Claims Court and/or Loss of Eligibility may be issued for Former tenant arrears. Documentation required A completed Transfer Request Form and Transfer Map for the bed size the household is eligible for. These need to be dropped off, faxed or mailed to your Operating Unit or Contract Management Office. Note: The household must select a minimum of 5 location preferences from the Toronto Community Housing Transfer Map. (Scattered units do not count as a location preference) After 12 months being on the internal waiting list The overhoused household will be added to the Centralized Waiting List (TAWL) where they must choose at least 5 other housing providers, not including Toronto Community Housing s preferences. They will continue to remain on the Internal Transfer Waiting List with Toronto Community Housing. NOTE If Toronto Community Housing staff identify a household is overhoused, staff will send a Notice of Decision Overhoused letter to the household with a Transfer Request Form and Transfer Map. If the Overhoused household does not complete the Transfer Request Form, Operating Unit or Property Management staff will add their name to the internal transfer waiting list with the overhoused priority and choose locations on behalf of the household. Staff will send the household a Final Decision Overhoused letter. Three Refusal Process for Overhoused Priority Transfer If a household refuses three valid offers of transfer to a suitable unit and have been overhoused for 12 months, TCH will issue a Loss of Eligibility Notice of Decision. If the household does not move to the unit size they are eligible for, the household will lose their rent-geared-to-income status and become a market rent household. Safety at Risk Priority Objective To move an RGI household whose safety is at risk, at their current unit or location, from someone who is not a member of the household. Eligibility Criteria Households may be deemed Safety at Risk when: They have been a victim of criminal activity (including criminal harassment and where there has been a physical and/or emotional experience), which they feel in conjunction with this crime, is likely to continue due to their residence/location of their home in the community. 1 A repayment agreement is a signed contract that shows the amount owing and when a household will pay back the money owed to Toronto Community Housing. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 7 of 15

8 For example: A member of a household is a victim of violence, where the abuser does not reside with the victim and the victim does not meet the criteria for Special Priority (SPP). The victim has been subjected to repeated physical or sexual assault, bullying or stalking in the community they live. OR Having witnessed a crime where there is a requirement to be a witness in a public proceeding and the potential for future contact with the accused in the community where their residence is located is likely or where the criminal has knowledge of and access to their unit. AND Anonymity, on the part of the member(s) of the household is being sought. For example: A member of a household witnessed a crime and will provide testimony in court proceedings. Arrears The household may have an outstanding balance at the time of applying and at the time of offering. However, the household must have a zero balance at the time of leasing. If the household has an outstanding balance at the time of leasing the offer will be counted as a refusal. If after signing the lease agreement for the new unit, the household has rental arrears or incurs charges and does not make payment in full prior to moving to the unit, they will be allowed to move to the unit, but Toronto Community Housing may commence legal proceedings to recover the outstanding arrears, which may include loss of eligibility, termination of the lease and eviction. Documentation Completed Transfer Request Form, Application for Safety at Risk and Transfer Map for bed size household is eligible (available on inhouse and and Supporting documentation must include a police report. o If the household cannot obtain a police report the household should contact the Toronto Police Service (TPS) staff in charge of the case to obtain verification of the incident. For example: TPS staff may contact Operating unit staff to verbally verify the incident(s), TCH staff directly or write a letter providing details of the incident; and One or more of the following: Restraining order and/or, community agency support letter and/or, victim services letter and/or CORA reports. The documentation provided must: o Be current (within the past 3 months). Older documentation may be included to demonstrate on-going threats from an identifiable group or individual. The identity of the group or individual does not have to be provided if it puts the household at risk. o Indicate the location of the crime o Provide details about the incident NOTE: If the household requires assistance gathering the required documents they should be connected with the local Legal Clinic and/or the Community Service Coordinator (CSC) for their Operating Unit. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 8 of 15

9 Safety at Risk Applications are commonly denied for the following reasons: No detailed report provided or confirmed by the Toronto Police Services Incident occurred off TCH property Incident is a one-time occurrence and there is no indication that the household was targeted for the crime Medical Priority Objective To move RGI residents with serious medical conditions to a different Toronto Community Housing unit that would stabilize or improve the health of the resident. Eligibility Criteria A member of the household has a serious medical condition and a licensed health care professional has determined that: The current accommodation substantially aggravates the medical condition AND A different unit would materially contribute to stabilizing or improving the health of the household member AND Location preferences selected will contribute to stabilizing or improving the medical needs of the household member OR A distressing event occurred in the unit that caused and is substantially aggravating the medical condition OR The household member has a need for specific support services that would only be available by transferring the household member to a new location The medical documentation must be from a licensed medical professional that includes the necessary information, including functional limitations and capabilities of the tenant that clearly state what features in the current unit are making the medical condition worse and how the features of another unit would improve the health of the tenant. Tenants seeking medical priority status are expected to provide their cooperation and support to facilitate the process which may include but is not limited to a request for further medical documentation or clarification from the licensed medical professional as to the nature of the functional limitations and capabilities. Arrears The household may have an outstanding balance at the time of applying and at the time of offering. However, the household must have a zero balance at the time of leasing. If the household has an outstanding balance at the time of leasing the offer will be counted as a refusal. If after signing the lease agreement for the new unit, the household has rental arrears or incurs charges and does not make payment in full prior to moving to the unit, they will be allowed to move to the unit, but Toronto Community Housing may Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 9 of 15

10 commence legal proceedings to recover the outstanding arrears, which may include loss of eligibility, termination of the lease and eviction. Documentation Completed Transfer Request Form, Application for Medical Priority and Transfer Map for bed size household is eligible (available on inhouse and The documentation provided must: Be current (within the past 3 months). Identify the locations of any support services mentioned within the application. Location preferences must also match the location of support services. NOTE: If the household requires assistance gathering the required documents they should be connected with the Community Service Coordinator (CSC) for their Operating Unit. Transfer Review Committee for Safety at Risk & Medical Priority The Transfer Review Committee will review priority transfer requests within 20 business days of receipt. In general, the TRC meets on every other Wednesday. The Transfer Review Committee is made up of three members: Chair, Program Services staff member Member, Operating Unit Manager Member, Manager in Resident Services or Contract Management or other business units The TRC will either approve or deny the request. If the request is denied, the household may re-apply and provide new supporting documentation at any time. Speak with the Tenant Services Coordinator or Contract Management staff if you have any questions or concerns. NOTE For any RGI households, whose Safety at Risk or Medical priority transfer application was denied, the household will be placed on the non-priority internal transfer waiting list. Three Refusal Process for Safety at Risk & Medical Priority If a household refuses three valid offers of transfer to a different unit, their application will be cancelled. The household must re-apply for the priority transfer. If approved for the priority, the household will be added to the internal transfer waiting list with a new date. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 10 of 15

11 Underhoused Priority Status Objective To move households which are two or more bedrooms short, to the minimum bedroom size that they qualify for based on the City of Toronto s Occupancy Standard. Eligibility Criteria The household must need two or more additional bedrooms to meet the minimum unit size they qualify for according to City of Toronto s RGI Occupancy Standards. The household must obtain additional bedrooms as a condition of child/family reunification (For example: If the children are under the care of the Children s Aid Society and need to be reunited with their family) NOTE The family members who are currently not part of the household composition and the household is requesting to add the family members to the household, must meet the Rent Geared-to-Income eligibility criteria and the Addition to Household Composition Directive, before being added to the household and placed on the internal transfer waiting list. Arrears The household may have an outstanding balance at the time of applying and at the time of offering. However, the household must have a zero balance at the time of leasing. If the household has an outstanding balance at the time of leasing the offer will be counted as a refusal. If after signing the lease agreement for the new unit, the household has rental arrears or incurs charges and does not make payment in full prior to moving to the unit, they will be allowed to move to the unit, but Toronto Community Housing may commence legal proceedings to recover the outstanding arrears, which may include loss of eligibility, termination of the lease and eviction. Documentation Required A completed Transfer Request Form and Transfer Map for the bed size the household is eligible for. These need to be dropped off, faxed or mailed to your Operating Unit or Property Management Office. Updated Household Income and Assets Review Form NOTE If the household that is underhoused by two or more bedrooms does not want to apply for a transfer, Operating Unit or Contract Management staff will notify the household in writing that they are in violation of health, safety and occupancy standards. The letter will also include, a Transfer Request Form and Transfer Map for the unit size the household is eligible for. If the household does not complete the Transfer Request Form, eviction procedures may be initiated. Three Refusal Process for Underhoused Priority Transfer If a household refuses three valid offers of transfer to a different unit, their application will be cancelled. The household must re-apply for the priority transfer. If approved for the priority, the household will be added to the internal transfer waiting list with a new date. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 11 of 15

12 City of Toronto s RGI Occupancy Standards The City of Toronto has established local occupancy standards that determine the unit size a rent-geared-to-income (RGI) household is eligible for based on household size and composition. These occupancy standards can be found in the City of Toronto s RGI Administration Manual Chapter 4: Occupancy Standards. To get more information from the RGI manual go to the City s website and look-up the RGI Manual in their search toolbar. If a household with a priority transfer requires a unit with fewer bedrooms, they will be listed for the appropriate size unit and offered the right size unit. NOTE On May 1, 2015, the City of Toronto Occupancy Standards for Rent-Geared-to- Income households were changed. Children under the age of 18 years of age and the same gender no longer have to share a bedroom. For households with 2 bedrooms or less, no more than 2 people can share a bedroom. For households with 3 or more bedrooms, no more than 3 people can share a bedroom as long as the bedroom being shared provides the minimum space required under the City's Municipal Code Property Standards. Shared Accommodation or Bachelor Unit If a household is currently in shared accommodation or bachelor unit, the household has the right to request a one-bedroom unit. NOTE If the household that lives in a bachelor unit is eligible for a 2 bedroom unit (For example: Is pregnant, has one or two kids etc.) they are underhoused by 2 bedrooms, therefore they are eligible for Underhoused Priority. Request for Additional Bedrooms NOTE On May 1, 2015, the City of Toronto Occupancy Standards for Rent-Geared-to- Income households were changed. These changes affect how a housing provider allocates additional bedrooms for medical reasons, caregivers and for children subject to a court order, custody or access agreement or domestic contract and for children taken into the temporary care of a Child Welfare Agency An additional bedroom may be provided to the household under the following situations: A separate bedroom is required because of a documented disability or medical condition A room is required to store medical equipment that a member of the household needs because of a disability or medical condition. Use of a scooter, wheelchair or walker does not qualify a tenant for an additional bedroom A member of the household has provided supporting documentation from a medical professional confirming that she is pregnant, as well as the gender of the child if necessary A member of the household has a legal agreement for joint custody or access rights with a child and an extra bedroom would be necessary to provide overnight accommodation for a minimum of 78 nights per year. The legal agreement must require this overnight accommodation. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 12 of 15

13 If a tenant indicates they have a caregiver living in their unit the following conditions must be met: 1. A member of the household is disabled or has a medical condition that requires overnight support services; 2. The caregiver must be employed by the household or an agency or here under an arrangement with Citizenship or Immigration Canada to provide those support services. The household must submit the required application forms and required medical documentation with the request. These forms are located on the Toronto Community Housing Website. For a complete list of the eligibility criteria for an additional bedroom, please refer to Chapter 4 of the RGI Administration Manual on the City of Toronto s website. NOTE If the caregiver is not employed by a Care Agency, or is not here under an arrangement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada or does not have a permanent address elsewhere, the income received by the caregiver will be included in the household s income and used to calculate the RGI rent for the household. Documentation Required A completed application that corresponds to the reason for the additional bedroom request. It can be one or more of the following: o Medical Need for an Additional Bedroom o Caregiver (Home Care Agency or Caregiver Verification form) o Custody or Access Rights to a child who does not reside in the unit These forms are available at your Operating Unit or Property Management Office, or the Toronto Community Housing website at or by calling the Client Care Centre at where staff can have them mailed out to you. DEFINITIONS Arrears (for the purpose of the transfer guidelines): refers to any money owed to Toronto Community Housing by an RGI household e.g. rent, maintenance, repair of damage, retrorent, etc. Approval date: the date the decision was made to approve the transfer request. Building: Hi-rise, mid-rise, low-rise complex that contains more than one floor of units. Caregiver: There must be a member of the household who is disabled or has a medical condition that requires support services. The caregiver is either employed by a Care Agency to provide those services and/or has a permanent address other than the unit they are providing care in and/or is subject to an arrangement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Development: Grouping of units or buildings which have been given a development name by TCH. Full modification: Total unit modification including kitchen area, living area, washroom facilities, bedroom, closets, electrical outlets, appliances, widened hallways and doors, and any other specified modifications needed for compliance with fully wheelchair accessible Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 13 of 15

14 guidelines. Upon receipt of a full modification, these units meet all legislative and build standards for accessibility. Household: Individual(s) who live in a housing unit. A household can refer to one person who lives alone or to a group of people who live together in the unit. Household Member: An individual person who is part of a household. The member may be a leaseholder or an occupant. Internal Transfer Wait List: A listing of households who have applied and been approved to transfer. The wait list is a modified chronological listing composed of five priority statuses and one non-priority status. Within each status, households are listed in chronological order. The Applicant Wait List (TAWL) is not used for transfers. Location: Grouping of units or buildings which have been given a development number as determined by Toronto Community Housing. Modification (Modified unit): The act of modifying the existing unit condition, or the change or result produced by unit modification. This can be minor or major in detail, ranging from partial modifications to full unit accessible upgrades depending on a tenant s level of ability. Offer - reasonable: A reasonable offer is one which is: in an area requested by the household, is the correct bed size required by the household, in either a house or apartment where there is no documentation indicating that only a specific type of unit is to be offered, or where there is no medical documentation to indicate the unit would be unsatisfactory Offer refusal: Household does not accept an offered unit counted as one of the three possible offers of alternate accommodation. Offer withdrawal: Toronto Community Housing withdraws offered unit. The offer is not counted against the household. Rooming house: See Shared Accommodation. Scattered Units/Houses: These units are listed in HMS as Scattered Units CHU # or Scattered Houses CHU#. Seniors building: A building that has a seniors mandate. Where at least one member of the household must be age 59 or older. Shared Accommodation: In a shared accommodation, an individual will usually have his or her own room, but share amenities such as the kitchen, bathroom, and other common living spaces with other tenants in their unit. There is usually a mandate regarding sex or age of tenants who are eligible for these units. Split Tenancies: When a household occupying one unit wishes to split and make two or more households and therefore live in two or more units.the Housing Services Act (HSA) does not allow a subsidy to be split 2. If the household wishes to split, they must apply for an RGI unit through Housing Connections. 2 Exception: Special Priority Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 14 of 15

15 SWAP: Where a tenant household exchanges or trades units with another tenant household. Toronto Community Housing does not accept these requests. Unit Size: Determined by the number of bedrooms in a self-contained unit. Wheelchair Accessible Building: Building that people using wheelchairs can easily navigate the building and its common areas. Tenant Transfer Policy Tenant Guidelines October 2017 Page 15 of 15