Social Housing

A Resource Centre For Selecting Not-For-Profit Housing

The concern for co-ordination of access amongst various housing providers in Durham Region has been an issue for some time. Early in 1991 the Durham Regional Access to Permanent Housing Committee was advocating for some type of access system which was more user-friendly. At approximately the same time the Ontario Ministry of Housing issued its consultation paper - "A Housing Framework for Ontario". "Consultation Counts" was a subsequent report of the outcome of that consultation and outlines the Provincial Government's future directions in the development and management of social housing; one of the priorities being a move to a more people-centred approach to access to all social housing.

In response to this initiative, a group of housing providers in the Durham Region formed the Community Housing Registry Working Group and developed goals and objectives for the implementation of a housing registry. Public meetings invited participation from the stakeholders. Durham Region was selected by the Ministry as a pilot project in 1994 and funding was received to hire a co-ordinator.

Months and months of development and input from numerous participating providers resulted in the eventual product known as the Housing Access Centre (Durham Region) Co-operative Inc. ('HAC'). The Registry was incorporated on October 4, 1996, and became operational April 1, 1997. Members of the Registry include housing co-operatives; the local housing authority; municipal housing providers; private non-profit housing providers and organizations representing the interests of applicants to not-for-profit housing who have committed to membership by signing the Operating Agreement.

HAC is managed by a Board of Directors elected by the members. All members are eligible for election and each type of member group is given established representation in accordance with the By-laws.

How Does HAC Work? From A Satellite Perspective...

As a result of a proposal request, satellite offices have been identified in major centres of the Region and a common application form was created, test marketed and implemented across Durham Region. Satellite offices are connected to the HAC database by means of a wide area network, which allows them to input application information, update applications regularly and respond to applicant's inquiries.

From A Provider Perspective...

Housing provider members continue to be fully responsible for their own tenant/member selection. The computer system enables provider members to use data from the system to produce reports for tenant selection purposes. Housing provider members do not keep their own separate, independent waiting list for RGI units. The waiting list is maintained by HAC. Members are able to get a list of applicants who want to live in their buildings and have access to the database through the computer system.

From An Applicant Perspective...

Applicants have the ability to visit any housing provider and fill out a single application in order to be placed on HAC's waiting list. Maps and directories for viewing are available at the satellite offices and directories at all providers facilitate applicants in making their selections. They also have the opportunity to identify special needs and priority situations on their applications.

To obtain a copy of the Housing Access Directory ($25 each), contact:

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