Housing and Shelter

Northumberland County works closely with local agencies to deliver housing stability and homelessness prevention initiatives in the community. 

View our Affordable Housing Strategy to learn about our strategies to increase the supply of housing throughout Northumberland at various levels of affordability to meet the needs of our community. This strategy helps local housing agencies work together to identify priorities and actions that will support the development of new and improved programs to help address key local housing gaps.

Emergency shelter services

If you have no place to stay, there are places in the community that can provide emergency accommodations to individuals and families.

Find local shelters

Subsidized housing

If you have low to moderate income, you can apply for one of Northumberland County's Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) units. Learn more about subsidized housing and find out how to apply.

Find out more about the Northumberland County Housing Corporation, the largest community housing provider in Northumberland.

Housing benefit programs

Shelter benefit

If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we may be able to help you get or keep housing through the shelter benefit.

If you are eligible, the shelter benefit can help you with:

  • Last month's rent
  • Rent arrears
  • Moving costs
  • Utility deposits, arrears and/or reconnection fees

Apply for the shelter benefit

  • If you are on Ontario Works, please speak to your caseworker
  • If you are on ODSP or have a fixed/low income, call 905-372-6846 or 1-800-354-7050 ext. 2001

Canada Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB)

The Canada Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) program provides households with a portable housing benefit to assist with rental costs in the private housing market. The benefit is tied to the household and can be used to help pay rent anywhere in Ontario.

The COHB pays the difference between 30 per cent of the household’s income and the average market rent in the area. For recipients of social assistance, the COHB will pay the difference between the shelter allowance and the household’s rent and utilities costs. The program is administered by the Province of Ontario and the benefit amount is reviewed every year.

Apply for the COHB

The 2023 COHB Program is accepting applications as of December 1, 2022 with submissions made to the Provincial Government in the spring of 2023.

For more information and to apply, call 905-372-6846 or toll-free at 1-800-354-7051.

Additional housing supports and information