Buying a home

As part of our plan to protect Ontario, we are committed to helping more families achieve their dream of homeownership. That’s why we’re reducing upfront costs for buyers of new homes.

Tax relief for home buyers

Saving up to $200,000 on new homes

Ontario’s expanded Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) relief on new homes could save eligible buyers, including first-time home buyers, up to $130,000. Combined with lower development fees, this can save up to $200,000 on new homes.

The expanded HST relief builds on the proposed Ontario HST rebate for first-time home buyers and expands the HST New Housing Rebate and New Residential Rental Property Rebate for one year.

Find out if your home is eligible for HST relief.

Land Transfer Tax refund

Currently, Ontario also offers tax refunds to reduce the cost for first-time home buyers. If you are eligible, you can receive a partial or full Land Transfer Tax refund of up to $4,000.

Apply for the Land Transfer Tax refund.

Renting a home

Know your rights as a tenant

Learn about the standard lease, rent increase limits and protections against unfair evictions.

Solve a disagreement with your landlord or tenant

Find out what is considered an offence under the Residential Tenancies Act and how to file a complaint.

Community housing

Community housing (sometimes known as social housing) is government-assisted rental housing provided by non-profit organizations, municipalities or housing co operatives. Rents may be subsidized or based on household income.

Community housing renewal strategy

Learn how Ontario is working to repair, sustain and expand the community housing system.

Community housing programs

Learn about Ontario’s programs to:

  • repair and renew the existing social housing supply
  • expand the supply of community housing
  • provide a housing benefit to vulnerable households

Contact your local service manager for more information about community housing programs in your community including eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Supportive housing and homelessness prevention

Supportive housing combines long-term housing assistance with ongoing support services that help people live as independently as possible in their community.

Supportive housing for people with disabilities and complex needs

Ontario is investing in supportive housing programs for adults and children with disabilities, including people with developmental and complex care needs. These programs help ensure individuals can access safe housing along with the supports they need.

Learn more about residential services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.

Addressing homelessness

Ontario is investing in programs to prevent homelessness to help people who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessness.

Contact your local service manager to help you find homelessness-related programs available in your community.

Finding housing support

Find housing in your community

Local service managers across Ontario can help you find housing programs in your community. Use the service manager list to find contact information by municipality.

Find housing for specific groups

Indigenous people (off-reserve)

If you are an Indigenous person living off-reserve, you can contact one of the following Indigenous program administrators:

Newcomers

If you are a newcomer to Ontario, a settlement agency can help you find housing in your community.

People with disabilities and complex needs

Learn about residential services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, including group living, supported independent living, specialized support and family homes through the Host Family Program.

Developmental Services Ontario offices have housing navigators to help you explore housing options in your community.

Seniors

Learn about housing options for seniors, including retirement homes, supportive housing, and programs to help you stay at home.

Survivors of abuse and human trafficking

If you are a survivor of abuse or human trafficking, your local service manager may be able to help you find housing in your community.

Survivors may be able to receive:

  • priority placement in a rent-geared-to-income social housing unit (if eligible for both rent-geared-to-income assistance and the Special Priority Policy)
  • a direct, monthly benefit to help pay your rent (if eligible for the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit program)
  • other local or municipal portable housing benefits

Veterans

Eligible Ontario Veterans and their families may receive financial assistance of up to $3,000 over a twelve-month period, through the Soldiers’ Aid Commission to help cover home and housing-related costs, such as:

  • home repairs
  • furniture
  • first and last month’s rent
  • moving costs

Alternative pathways to long-term housing

There are alternative housing options that offer more stability than renting, without traditional homeownership. These innovative models can provide more flexible and affordable ways to secure long-term housing.

Shared-equity homeownership

In a shared equity arrangement, both the home buyer and a shared equity investment provider contribute to the down payment. In exchange, they share in any future gains or losses when the home is sold. This can help lower upfront costs and make buying a home more affordable.

Co-owning a home

Co-ownership is a shared housing arrangement where two or more people own and live in a home together. Owners typically share costs, responsibilities and decision-making power related to the property.

Life-lease housing

In life-lease housing, residents purchase an interest in a property, which gives them the right to live there for a long period of time (often for their lifetime), but they do not own the property.

This option can provide long-term housing stability, usually within a community designed for specific groups, such as older adults.

Related