Our Services
The Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) offers housing programs and services to residents of the Kenora District.
If you or someone you know would like affordable housing information, KDSB can help. KDSB Community Housing Services offers:
- Supportive Housing programs
- Affordable Housing units
- Market Rental Housing units
- Rent-Geared-to-Income programs
- Homelessness Prevention Programs
KDSB can provide rental assistance to eligible:
- Single, non-elderly residents
- Families
- Special priority placements, and
- Seniors
Tenants are selected on a first their position on the wait list. Applicants with unique circumstances may secure special priority placement status for the wait list.
Housing Legislation
The major legislations that regulate Housing Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You may select your preference for location according to:
- Municipality/Community
- Street location, or
- Building preference
Yes. You are eligible to be on the wait list for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing. Once you are housed as a tenant, you must pursue all eligible sources of income, such as:
- Employment
- Ontario Works benefits
- Ontario Disability Support Program benefits
- Spousal and/or child support payments
- Employment Insurance benefits, and
- Pensions
In order to qualify for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing you must divest your interest in the property within 180 days (6 months) after you start to receive Rent-Geared-to-Income housing. The property must be considered a residential property suitable for year-round occupancy.
Yes. There are provincial priority rules for ranking applicants on the centralized waitlist. This status is called Special Priority Placement. If you or a member of your family is experiencing:
- Family violence
- An abusive relationship, or
- Personal safety issues
You may qualify for priority placement on the waitlist. For necessary documentation please see our Apply for Housing web page.
For more information on domestic violence and supports available, please see the following websites:
Some housing providers have units that can accommodate disabilities. Make sure you include important information about your needs in your application.
KDSB will notify you of your status in writing.
Single/Non-Elderly, Family and Senior applications:
- A decision is made within 30 days of receiving the completed application.
Special Priority Placement applications:
- A decision is made within 14 days of receiving the completed application.
Yes. You can appeal the following decisions:
- The household is not eligible for Rent-Geared-to-Income assistance
- The household is not eligible for special needs housing
- The category in which the household has been placed on the wait list
- The type or size of unit in which the household may be accommodated
- The amount of Rent-Geared-to-Income assistance payable by the household
- A deferral of Rent-Geared-to-Income assistance by the household
The KDSB has an internal review process which will review an appeal made by the tenant or applicants.
If there is a change in a document or information with respect to your application, you must provide updated documents and information within 30 days from the date of the change.
You will be contacted by phone or mail and given a week to respond. A letter will be sent to the last known address. If you have not been in touch with the property manager and if you do not respond to this letter in 10 days your application will be cancelled.
An acceptance letter will be sent to you if you verbally agree to accept the unit. You must respond back in writing of your acceptance of the offer. At this point you will be required to provide income information and sign a lease. You will not be given the keys to the unit until you provided income information, signed a lease and paid the first month’s rent.
Yes. You can contact your local KDSB office for programs that may be available.
Rent can be recalculated on a quarterly basis (4 times per year) to accommodate individuals and families with a fluctuating income. Income will be collected and an average of the earnings will determine the rent.