Applying for Housing
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.
To apply for Market Rent, you may apply through Housing Cambridge. You can download the application form (pdf) for Market Rent Application here.
The Rent Geared to Income rental process must be done through the Region of Waterloo Community Housing Access Centre. You can print an application by clicking here: Community Housing Application.
To apply for Below Average Market Rent senior housing (age 55+), at 80% Average Market Rent, click here to download the application form (pdf).
Market Rent
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 519-622-5535. You can download a Market Rent Application form here.
Subsidized Rent
In most of Housing Cambridge’s properties, 70% of the tenants pay rent adjusted to their income. Rent geared to income is fixed at a percentage of the tenants family income, usually around 30 percent. Tenants pay much 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 80% of the average market rent, it is not geared to income. Tenants income must meet a certain income criteria in order to qualify. Please contact the office for further information at 519-622-5535.
How to apply for rent geared to income apartments or townhomes
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 here. The CHAC is the centralized waiting list for all subsidized 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
Cambridge Locations
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