Request to the Province to Amend the Housing Services Act to Support Rent-Geared-to-Income Tenants in Apprenticeship Programs - by Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Ana Bailão

In 2016, the Mayor's Task Force on Toronto Community Housing Corporation reported that "tenants are looking for access to jobs and opportunities, particularly those that provide a bridge towards meaningful, sustainable work." Toronto Community Housing Corporation has worked with its development partners and the City on creating opportunities for youth to access training and employment in the trades, however many tenants are reluctant to take these opportunities because they fear losing their housing or subsidy. This presents a barrier to employment opportunities for some rent-geared-to-income households. A key Provincial regulation change in 2021 was the exclusion of the income of full-time students in the calculation of the household rent-geared-to-income rent. This exclusion also applies to students in qualifying apprenticeship programs. However, in order to qualify, the regulations require that the educational program is with a "recognized educational institution", as defined by the Housing Services Act. For this reason, some participants in unrecognized apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, such as CRAFT, which offers a 14-week intensive training in trade disciplines, may not qualify for this exemption, as it is sponsored by the union and not an educational institution. Broadening the definition of apprenticeship programs to include those affiliated with trade unions and/or connected to service manager approved programs would extend meaningful employment opportunities to a larger number of rent-geared-to-income tenants in Toronto.

are enrolled in apprenticeship programs offered through recognized educational institutions, for the calculation of rent-geared-to-income.