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HomeSponsoring Family

Sponsorship of parents, children, spouses (common-law, conjugal, same sex), refugees.

Spousal Sponsorship - RGI Housing & ODSP Problems 

MorningStar
MorningStar
Posts: 1


Posted On: 10/6/2015
MorningStar
MorningStar
Posts: 1
I'm hoping to get some answers here because I've been getting the run around for the past month between everyone that I've contacted and I'm getting frustrated and our wedding is in 2.5 weeks.

My spouse (from England) is in Canada on a temporary work permit making minimum wage but he does not qualify to living in subsidized housing as a temporary resident with me unless he is a permanent resident.


I am on ODSP and in Rent Geared to Income housing due to my low income from ODSP ( i have never been on any other social support other then ODSP)

We are getting married at the end of October. The marriage certificate can take up to 10 weeks to come in (during which time housing has said that he can not live with me - which is going to look bad for immigration since we have applied for inland immigration) and we have all the paper work ready to go to send in for the permanent residency. however both ODSP and Housing want something concrete from CIC saying that he has applied for his permanent residency. I have offered to show online payments as well as the Courier receipt with tracking number. I contacted CIC and they said currently it is a 7 month waiting period to get a letter of confirmation of receipt of application and an application # that can be tracked online on their site. CIC also said that we need to live together for inland spousal sponsorship.

I see other people living together in housing during the process. How were they able to get their housing corporations to allow them to do this? What proof did they use? What proof was used with ODSP? Or did you have to wait the 7 months with ODSP as well?

I'm just really confused how other people were able to stay in housing as here I have been getting the run around? at first I was told a straight no that it wasn't possible until I found out that the law says all I needed to do was show that he applied due to implied status.


Sincere thanks for any help that you can offer during this exciting but nevertheless stressful time during our lives.

Thank you very much.
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Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4069


Posted On: 10/8/2015
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4069
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this situation and would like to find out what your rights are.

As you may already know, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is the law that applies to most rental housing in Ontario. This also includes subsidized/RGI housing or units.

In the case of subsidized/RGI units there are also some additional laws and rules.

In some cases it applies to who lives in the unit.

You are right that generally with subsidized/RGI units, you must inform your housing provider about any changes to your situation that might affect subsidy.

The laws and rules for subsidized/RGI housing can be complicated, so it is best that you get legal advice about your situation.

It may be best to contact the nearest Community Legal Clinic for some assistance and information regarding your rights related to your housing situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
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