Waiting Lists and Studying and Ranking Applications

Some 22,000 households would like to move into one of Montréal's low-cost housing units, but only 2,000 become available each year.

Study of Applications

The OMHM begins by assessing every eligible application to determine its ranking on the various eligibility lists for different housing categories (families, couples, single persons, seniors or persons in wheelchairs), the borough and the required size.

Ranking

Ranking is calculated on the basis of a scoring system defined in the Government of Québec's By-law respecting the allocation of dwellings in low rental housing (R.S.Q., c. S-8, r. 1). In particular, these criteria pertain to household income and current rental costs.

Waiting Lists

Once the application has been accepted by the tenant selection committee, it is placed on the waiting list corresponding with the applicant's situation. Since over 22,000 households are already on these lists, the wait for an apartment can range from a few months to several years. It depends on various factors, such as the number of households waiting, the category and size of the apartment needed, the score obtained, etc.

Priority for Emergencies

Priority will be given to households that meet eligibility criteria and who have been forced from their homes because of one of the following situations:

• A disaster making the home unfit for habitation.
• As the result of a city by-law declaring the apartment unfit for habitation.

Tenants are generally selected five months before building construction is completed, based on the application's seniority, under the Logement abordable Québec (LAQ) program.

Evaluating the Application

The application is evaluated according to eligibility conditions.

Ranking

• The seniority of applicants who are already low-income unit tenants or who appear on a low-income unit eligibility list is based on the unit's occupancy date or the date the tenant was placed on the list.
• The seniority of applicants who are not low-income unit tenants or are on the waiting list for a low-income unit is based on the date the application is received.
• Applicants who lives in a borough in which a low-income apartment building is under construction are credited with three additional years of seniority.

Waiting Lists

Waiting lists vary by sector, unit size and number of units that become available.

The OMHM retains the contact information of households that apply for housing, even if it is not possible to offer them the building they specifically request. The OMHM contacts these households if other projects are underway if if units become available in the requested building or in other structures.

Applications for residences with ENHARMONIE network services are assessed on the basis of eligibility criteria.

Tenants are generally selected nine months before building construction have completed, based on seniority of the application, for residences with services for seniors.

• The seniority of applicants who are already low-income unit tenants or who appear on a low-income unit eligibility list is based on the unit's occupancy date or the date the tenant was placed on the list.
• The seniority of applicants who are not low-income unit tenants or are on the waiting list for a low-income unit is based on the date the application is received.
• Applicants who lives in a borough in which a low-income apartment building is under construction are credited with three additional years of seniority.

Applications for residences in greatest demand are based on the date the application was submitted. Units are, however, available in several residences in the network. Click here to visit the ENHARMONIE residence site and see what units are available.

Ranking

Ranking is calculated on the basis of a scoring system defined in the Government of Québec's By-law respecting the allocation of dwellings in low rental housing (R.S.Q., c. S-8, r. 1). In particular, these criteria pertain to household income and current rental costs.

Waiting Lists

Once the application has been accepted by the tenant selection committee, it is placed on the waiting list corresponding with the applicant's situation. Since over 22,000 households are already on these lists, the wait for an apartment can range from a few months to several years. It depends on various factors, such as the number of households waiting, the category and size of the apartment needed, the score obtained, etc.

Priority for Emergencies

Priority will be given to households that meet eligibility criteria and who have been forced from their homes because of one of the following situations:

• A disaster making the home unfit for habitation.
• As the result of a city by-law declaring the apartment unfit for habitation.

The OMHM has been renting standard (unsubsidized) units since 2007

These (3 1/2, 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 room) units can be rented to anyone, based on supply and demand. To see such units or get more information, please contact:

Les immeubles Benny Farm
3800, avenue Benny, bureau 101
Montréal (Québec)  H4B 3A4
Tel.: 514-483-4118