RGI Hamilton: Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing
Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing in Hamilton is subsidized housing where your rent is based on your income, usually about 30 per cent of your monthly household income. It is run by the City of Hamilton through its Access to Housing (ATH) office, which takes applications and maintains one centralized wait list.
Need a place tonight? RGI is not emergency housing and cannot house you immediately. In Hamilton, call 2-1-1.
What RGI is, and who runs the wait list in Hamilton
RGI is rent set by your income rather than by the market, usually about 30 per cent of gross monthly household income. If some or all of your income is from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, your RGI rent is calculated differently. Income is measured on line 23600 of your Notice of Assessment, and full-time student income is excluded.
In Hamilton, applications go through Access to Housing (ATH), at 110-350 King Street East, Hamilton, phone 905-546-2424 ext. 3708, email [email protected]. ATH is not a landlord: it takes applications, manages the wait list, and refers households to housing providers.
Income limits for Hamilton, 2026
Income limits are maximums: your household income must be under the limit for the largest unit size you qualify for. These are the 2026 limits for the City of Hamilton under O. Reg. 370/11 Schedule 2, in effect January 1, 2026.
| Unit size | Household income limit |
|---|---|
| Bachelor | $41,500 |
| 1-bedroom | $56,000 |
| 2-bedroom | $65,500 |
| 3-bedroom | $71,000 |
| 4-bedroom or larger | $83,500 |
Asset limit: ask Access to Housing. No Hamilton asset limit was published on the City of Hamilton public pages checked for this page, so no figure is stated here rather than guessing. Call ATH at 905-546-2424 ext. 3708 and ask what asset limit applies before you apply.
Who can apply
- You must be 16 years or older, with permanent status in Canada, and have a low to moderate income.
- At least one household member must be able to live independently, with or without support services.
- Household income must be below the limit for the unit size you are asking for, and household assets must be below the limit ATH applies.
- No member of your household can have a deportation, departure or exclusion order, and no member can owe arrears to any social housing unit.
How to apply in Hamilton
- Get the application package from Access to Housing at 110-350 King Street East, Hamilton, or call 905-546-2424 ext. 3708.
- Gather your documents first: identification showing status in Canada for all household members, and income verification for all adult household members.
- Submit the application to ATH at 110-350 King Street East, Hamilton, or by email to [email protected].
- Choose the properties and unit sizes you will accept. You are entitled to only one RGI offer: if you refuse it, your file will be cancelled under O. Reg. 367/11 s. 32.2.
- Keep your file current. Tell ATH within 30 days of any change to your address, phone number, income or household, and confirm your file at least once a year. Once housed, report any income change to your housing provider within 30 days.
Wait times in Hamilton
The City of Hamilton does not publish an average wait time for RGI housing, and ATH states it cannot predict when an applicant will be housed. Your place on the list is dated from your application, so apply as soon as you are eligible. While you wait, ask ATH about rent supplements and other housing benefits. The City's Rent Secure portable benefit is reserved for chronically homeless households; accepting it means consenting to removal from the ATH wait list, so ask what each option means for your RGI application before you accept it. For help with housing search, contact the Housing Help Centre at 119 Main Street East, phone 905-526-8100.
Special Priority in Hamilton
Province-wide, Special Priority applies if you are being abused by someone you lived with in the past three months, and it moves you to the top of the wait list. You will need supporting documents from a professional, such as a doctor, counsellor, shelter worker or police officer, and an interview with ATH staff. Ask about Special Priority when you apply. Do not wait for your situation to get worse before asking.
Check your eligibility first: RGI eligibility in Ontario is the yes/no checklist to work through before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for rent-geared-to-income housing in Hamilton?
Apply through the City of Hamilton Access to Housing (ATH), phone 905-546-2424 ext. 3708, email [email protected].
What are the income limits for RGI in Hamilton?
For 2026, under O. Reg. 370/11 Schedule 2: bachelor $41,500, one-bedroom $56,000, two-bedroom $65,500, three-bedroom $71,000, four-bedroom or larger $83,500.
How long is the wait for RGI housing in Hamilton?
The City of Hamilton does not publish an average wait time, and Access to Housing states it cannot predict when an applicant will be housed. Apply as soon as you are eligible.
Your next step
Apply through Access to Housing at 905-546-2424 ext. 3708 if you are eligible, and keep your file current.