Need help with back rent in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

(Request from Peter in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada) I owe 2 months back rent due to my wife going back to school, we fell behind on everything while on 1 income but have caught up on everything now but rent. Is there help for us?

Dear Peter,

There is help for you. Although I do not know what your income and expenses currently are, it does sound like your family is now at a point where you will be able to afford all of your living expenses on a permanent basis. Perhaps you just need some short-term financial assistance in order to catch up on your 2 months of late rent so that you do not risk an eviction.

Ontario Rent Bank

The Ontario Rent Bank may be your best option. This program could allow you to borrow enough money to catch up on your late rent. It could be enough to satisfy your landlord and allow you to remain in the home permanently.

What is awesome about the Ontario Rent Bank program is that you are able to borrow money specifically for late rent. For-profit lenders and even some nonprofit lenders tend to shun applicants who are having trouble paying for basic living expenses. With this program you actually have a greater chance of being approved if you have been late on your rent and have the income that will allow you to remain in the property with up-to-date payments. These loans are made with a 0% interest rate which makes them an obvious choice.

CDCD

The Community Development Council Durham also provides rental assistance, but this charity focuses more on advocacy in financial assistance for families who may struggle to pay living costs on a more permanent basis. There are two primary programs operated by this organization.

Rental assistance can be provided to help you catch up on your late rent payments. The Housing Stability Program is an emergency rental assistance program that can help you avoid an eviction that results from a short-term economic crisis.

CDCD’s Housing Help Durham division also helps tenants with a chronic need for rental assistance. In these situations subsidies are provided in order to reduce rental costs down to a level that is affordable for families living on a limited budget.

For more information on either program that is provided by CDCD call their office at 905-686-2661.

John Howard Society of Durham Region

Tenants who are facing eviction due to nonpayment of rent may be able to benefit from mediation services provided by John Howard Society of Durham Region. This can be of the special benefit if you can normally afford your rent but simply ran into a short-term bind has caused you to fall a month or two behind on your rent.

This organization can help with referrals to the Ontario Rent Bank as well as other organizations that provide emergency rental assistance or long-term subsidies. A case manager can help you manage the situation and follow through until you reach a favorable outcome.

Call 905-579-8482 to find out more about the programs that you may qualify for, or you may also visit their Richmond St., West office in Oshawa.

Consumer Lenders

You can still apply for consumer loans if you still need help with back rent in Oshawa and did not get approved through one of the above programs. Understand though that consumer loan companies as well as banks tend to charge higher interest rates. Credit unions may be a cheaper option when seeking a rental loan.