You CAN NOT apply for Rent Geared-to-Income housing through Housing Cambridge directly. Housing Cambridge charges two types of rental rates – some of our tenants pay market rent and other tenants pay subsidized rent [rent geared-to-income (RGI) and Below Average Market Rent (BAMR)]. The process to apply for housing is different for each type of rental rate.
Family and Senior Housing
To apply for a senior (59+) apartment or townhouse unit rented at full market value (Market Rent), you may apply through Housing Cambridge. You can download the application form (pdf) for Market Rent below.
Family and Senior Housing
The subsidized rent application process must be completed through the Region of Waterloo Community Housing Access Centre. You can download and print an application by clicking below.
Approximately one-third of our units are Market Rent units. This means the tenants occupying these units pay rent that is based on our expected costs and similar rent levels for similar accommodation in the private market.
If you want to apply for a townhouse, please browse our current vacancies and then contact Housing Cambridge through email or by calling 519-650-5599.
Within the Housing Cambridge portfolio, 70% of units are rented on a rent geared-to-income basis. Rent geared-to-income is fixed at a percentage of the tenants’ household income, usually around 30 percent. Tenants pay less than they would in the private market. There is always a waiting list for rent geared-to-income units at Housing Cambridge.
Below Average Market Rent tenants pay a fixed rent (either 65% or 80% of average market rent) based on prescribed household income cut-offs. Tenants income must meet a certain income criteria in order to qualify. Please contact the office for further information at 519-650-5599.
If you want to pay rent geared-to-income you must apply directly to the Region of Waterloo’s Community Housing Access Centre (CHAC). A copy of the application form can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking above. The CHAC is the centralized waiting list for all rent geared-to-income housing in the Region of Waterloo, you must contact them for more information. To download a list of all CHAC offices where you can drop off your application, click here.
Community Housing Access Centre (CHAC)
Region of Waterloo
150 Main Street
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 8H6
T: 519-575-4833 F: 519-740-5957
TTY: 519-575-4605
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday ONLY 8:30 am – 4:30 pm