Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit (CNSTHB) Renter

Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted

Housing Benefit (CNSTHB)

Renter Guide

August 2024

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Contents

Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit (CNSTHB)

............................................................... 1

What is the Renter CNSTHB? ............................................................................................................ 4

Are you eligible for the Renter CNSTHB? .......................................................................................... 4

Are you a student? ............................................................................................................................. 5

Your Income

......................................................................................................................................... 6

What is considered low-income? ........................................................................................................ 6

Is your income eligible? ...................................................................................................................... 6

What documents do you need for proof of income? ........................................................................... 6

Your Rental Unit .................................................................................................................................... 7

Is your rental unit eligible? ................................................................................................................. 7

What document do you need for proof of rental?................................................................................ 7

How to apply for the Renter CNSTHB .................................................................................................... 8

What are the steps to apply for the Renter CNSTHB ......................................................................... 8

What documents do you need to apply? ............................................................................................ 9

What if you do not have a lease? ..................................................................................................... 10

Do you have to use the applicant’s EFT or/and banking information? .............................................. 10

When do you need to apply?............................................................................................................ 10

Is someone available to assist you in filling out the application form? .............................................. 10

How do you know if you have been approved? ................................................................................ 10

Will you continue to receive a subsidy? ............................................................................................ 10

Benefit Calculation ............................................................................................................................... 11

How much will you receive? ............................................................................................................. 11

If your application was received on/after August 23, 2024 ............................................................ 11

If your application was received before August 23, 2024 .............................................................. 12

When will you start to receive your subsidy? .................................................................................... 13

How long will you receive it? ............................................................................................................ 13

What if your situation changes? ........................................................................................................... 14

Can your benefit be terminated? .......................................................................................................... 15

Can your benefits be terminated prior to an annual renewal?........................................................... 15

Can your benefit be terminated at your annual renewal?

......................................................... 15

What happens when the program ends? .......................................................................................... 16

What happens if you disagree with a decision? ................................................................................... 17

Who do I contact if I have questions about the (CNSTHB)? .................................................................... 17

Appendices.......................................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix A -Average Market Rent and Household Income Limits (Effective April 1, 2024) ................ 18

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Appendix B - Region Office Location and Contact Information ......................................................... 19

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Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted

Housing Benefit (CNSTHB)

Renter Guide

The Renter Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit (CNSTHB) is a monthly benefit that

makes paying your rent more affordable. The Renter CNSTHB is a program that is jointly

funded by the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing (DMAH) and the Canada Mortgage

and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the National Housing Strategy.

To receive a Renter CNSTHB, you must meet all the eligibility requirements at the time

of submitting your application.

What is the Renter CNSTHB?

The Renter CNSTHB is a monthly benefit paid to eligible, low-income applicants who spend at

least 40 per cent of their gross income on the average market rent in their region.

Are you eligible for the Renter CNSTHB?

You must meet all the conditions below to be eligible for the Renter CNSTHB:



You are a resident of Nova Scotia and a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent

Resident in Canada,



Your total household gross income is within the household income limits based on where

you live and the size of your household,



You spend at least 40%

of your gross income, before taxes are taken off, on the

average market rent for the area you live and the size of your household. (not the rent that

you pay),



You are currently renting a self-contained unit or multi-suite (See page 7)

You will not be eligible for the Rent CNSTHB if:



You are currently living in public housing, or your rent is based on rent-geared-to income

(RGI),



You or any member of your household is already receiving a rent supplement,



You own a house/home or have a life-interest in a home,



You occupy a rental unit owned by a family member who also occupies a dwelling

unit within the home/building, and



You or any member of your household owes money to DMAH or Nova Scotia Provincial

Housing Agency (NSPHA), and you have not made arrangements to pay the debt.

If your application was received prior to January 27, 2023, the eligibility requirement is 30%.

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Are you a student?

If you are a low-income post-secondary student, you can only receive the Renter CNSTHB

if you:



Have a physical disability and need to stay in your unit

because it is accessible for you and that allows you to go to

school.

AND/OR



Are full-time student with dependents.

Proof of enrollment is required.

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Your Income

What is considered low-income?

You must be considered low-income to receive the Renter CNSTHB. That means that your

total household income is below the established household income limits (HILs). CMHC

sets limits for income based on where you live and the size of your household.

Refer to Appendix A for HILs, please note this is updated annually.

Is your income eligible?

Not all your gross income is considered in the eligible income calculation; for example, Veterans

Disability Pension and Federal/Provincial child tax credit are excluded from the eligible income

calculation.

DMAH will use the information you give us in your application to determine if your income is

eligible.

The application will tell you what documents you need to supply to DMAH to verify your income.

What documents do you need for proof of income?

Please refer to the list below. You may also need other income documentation (i.e., if you are

self-employed), please refer to the

Application Page 9

for details.

• Notice of assessment from Canada Revenue Agency and T-slips from all your

income sources (T4, T 4 a, TS, etc.). The slips should add up to line 150 on your

notice of assessment. See examples below.

Do NOT include

original

documents (we

require

photocopies only

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Your Rental Unit

Is your rental unit eligible?

The following are eligible rental units:



Any self-contained apartment where the Residential Tenancy Act applies.



Any unit in a “multi-suite” (rooming home)

which is a single room or series of rooms that

shares either kitchen or bathroom facilities with no less than three other separate

tenancies, where each room has a separate tenancy tied to a room number which is

displayed on tenant’s door.



Detached housing, row/townhouse, duplex or triplex, or condos with a written

tenancy agreement.



A basement suite or secondary suite where the tenant has a written tenancy agreement.



Mobile home where the tenant has a written tenancy agreement.



Shared rental situations including co-tenants or tenants in common where the

Residential Tenancy Act applies. The co-tenants or tenants are to be included in the

household income.



Community housing where the development or unit is not receiving ongoing subsidy.



Manufactured homes where the recipient pays rent for either the home or the pad (site)

and home with written tenancy agreement.



Co-ops where the recipient is a tenant of the co-op. The co-op must confirm the recipient

is not a shareholder and has signed a tenancy agreement.

Longer term hotel and motel accommodations with written tenancy agreement or seasonal

mobile homes may be eligible if it is a primary residence and rent is paid monthly.

Your rental unit cannot be owned by a family member who also occupies a dwelling unit within

the home/building.

What document do you need for proof of rental?

You will be asked to provide one of the following for proof of rental:



Copy of Lease or Tenancy Agreement (if signed within the past 12 months), or



Copy of old Lease and recent Market Rent Increase Letter.

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How to apply for the Renter CNSTHB

What are the steps to apply for the Renter CNSTHB

Visit the Government of Nova Scotia website and download the CNSTHB renter

application form and EFT form.

https://housing.novascotia.ca/programs/canada-nova- scotia-targeted-housing-benefit.

You can also call the Housing Supplement team and request to have the forms sent to

you by email or post: Call toll free 1-833-424-7711 or 902- 424-7711 if calling locally within

HRM.

Fill in all required sections. Please print clearly if mailing in an application.

Gather your required documents (such as proof of income, lease agreement, and void

cheque). Provide

copies, not originals

, of the documents.

Review your application and attachments for completeness.

Sign your application along with your spouse / co-applicant (if applicable). When you

sign the application, you are:

Declaring that all the information you have provided is true.

Giving consent for DMAH to share and verify the information you provided with

the Department of Community Services and/or NSPHA, if applicable, and the

Canada Revenue Agency.

Have a witness sign your application form. The witness should have legal capacity, be of

legal age, and be able to identify you.

Send your completed application and supporting documents to the Housing

Supplement team. You can submit your application in the following ways:

Send by email: Attach your signed application form along with all required

documents and submit them as part of one email to

housingsupplements@novascotia.ca.

Send by post: Put the application and all documents in an envelope and mail to

the address below:

Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Attn. Housing Benefit Unit

P.O. Box 702 Stn. Central

Halifax, NS B3J 2T3

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If required information is missing, you will be notified and have

3 months

to provide

the required information, or your case will be closed.

What documents do you need to apply?

To apply you need:

An application signed by both you and your spouse / co-applicant and witnessed.

Proof of income.

• Notice of assessment from Canada Revenue Agency and T-slips from all your

income sources (T4, T 4 a, TS, etc.). The slips should add up to line 150 on your

notice of assessment. See examples below.

• You may need other income documentation (i.e., if you are self-employed), please

refer to the Application Page 9 for details.

Proof of rental: copy of lease or tenancy Agreement (if signed within the past 12 months)

or copy of old lease and recent market rent increase letter.

Signed Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form (one can be found attached to the

application, but also on the DMAH website).

Void cheque

If you have children aged 18 to 24 in full-time attendance at a school, university,

community college, or vocational institution, you will need proof of enrollment.

Do NOT include

original

documents (we

require

photocopies only

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What if you do not have a lease?

If you do not have a lease or recent market rent increase letter, there are other options we may

accept in place of a lease to

confirm occupancy and rent amount

. A list of acceptable

documents in place of a lease can be provided upon request.

Do you have to use the applicant’s EFT or/and banking information?

Yes, the rent supplement will be paid to the applicant. We do not accept EFT and banking

information from the co-applicant. At your request, we can pay your landlord directly or, if you

have provided a trust agreement, we can direct your subsidy payment per your trust agreement.

When do you need to apply?

You can apply at any time. However, funding for this program is subject to annual provincial

budget approvals and compliance with Bilateral Agreement requirements. The application

window for the Renter CNSTHB will close when all renter benefits have been allocated for the

fiscal year.

Is someone available to assist you in filling out the application form?

If you require assistance, you can make an appointment with a rent supplement staff member.

How do you know if you have been approved?

If your application is approved, you will get a letter outlining your benefit and will receive money

every month by electronic funds transfer to help pay your rent. The money will arrive on or

before the first of each month. If you wish, you can request that your Renter CNSTHB go directly

to your landlord, trustee, or power of attorney.

If your application is not approved, you will get a letter outlining the reason.

Will you continue to receive a subsidy?

Annually, you must complete an Annual Review form to confirm their ongoing eligibility and

benefit amount. The Annual Review form will be forwarded to you 60 days prior to your renewal

date. Proof of your rental and income is required at the time of your renewal. The amount of your

benefit will be updated based on information provided at renewal. If you no longer meet the

eligibility criteria

, your case will be closed.

If your original application date was before January 27, 2023, the criteria used is 30% or more of your gross

income on the average market rent in your area, not 40%.

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Benefit Calculation

How much will you receive?

The benefit amount you could receive is dependent on meeting all eligibility requirements

and will vary based on your individual circumstances.

Please note annually your benefit

amount is recalculated based on your current information resulting in a potential change in your

benefit amount at renewal.

If your application was received on/after August 23, 2024

The amount you will receive is based on your:

Household composition (who and how many people live with you)

Total household income and type of income

Average market rents in the location of your rental unit or your actual rent, whichever is

less.

The calculation:

The

actual rent to a maximum of AMR

minus 30% of total household gross

income.

See examples below.

Example 1:

A single person is living in a one-bedroom apartment in Dartmouth. Their:

Monthly Income:

Canada Pension Plan $250, Old Age Security or GIS of $1,400

Average Market Rent (AMR):

$1,131

Actual Rent:

$1,200

Step 1 – Your (renter) contribution is calculated.

Income

Rent Geared to Income

Client

Portion

Canada Pension Plan

$250.00

30%

$75.00

Old Age Security or GIS

$1,400.00

30%

$420.00

Total Monthly Income

$1,650.00

30%

$495.00

Step 2 - The Rent Supplement is calculated.

Benefit

Calculation:

Actual Rent up to Maximum AMR

$1,131.00

Less: Client’s portion of rent:

($495.00)

Total Monthly Supplement:

$636.00

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Example 2:

A single non-elderly person (younger than 58 with no dependents) living in a one-

bedroom apartment in East Hants, NS, with the following monthly sources of income.

Monthly Income:

Canada Pension Plan $420

Average Market Rent (AMR):

$1,369

Actual Rent:

$1,200

The calculation:

The

actual rent to a maximum of AMR

minus 30% of total household gross

income

Step 1 – Your (renter) contribution is calculated.

Income

Rent Geared to

Income

Client

Portion

Canada Pension Plan

$420.00

30%

$126.00

Total Monthly Income

$420.00

30%

$126.00

Step 2- The Rent Supplement is calculated.

If your application was received before August 23, 2024

Until August 2027, the amount you will receive is based on your:

Household composition (who and how many people live with you)

Total household income and type of income

Average market rents in the location of your rental unit based on bedroom count.

The calculation:

AMR minus 30% of total household gross income, up to the maximum of your

actual rent.

August 2027 this calculation will convert to the

actual rent to a maximum of AMR

minus 30% of total household

gross income for recipients whose calculated benefit exceeds their actual rent, their AMR will remain constant.

Benefit

Calculation:

Actual Rent up to Maximum AMR

$1,200.00

Less: Client’s portion of rent:

($126.00)

Total Monthly Supplement:

$1,074.00

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When will you start to receive your subsidy?

Your subsidy payment will be issued on the first of the month following your approval date.

Subsidy payments will be paid by EFT only, except for extenuating circumstances. Subsidy

payment will be issued monthly.

How long will you receive it?

Funding for the Renter CNSTHB is subject to annual provincial budget approvals.

Recipients must submit an annual renewal application to confirm that they remain eligible

for the program.

Generally, as long as you remain eligible, you will continue receiving the Renter CNSTHB

subject to budget availability. If the annual review shows that you are no longer eligible,

your benefits will be discontinued.

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What if your situation changes?

You must notify DMAH within

30 days

of any changes to your living situation, such as the

following:

You move out of your current rental:



If you move to another region, your benefit will be recalculated based on the average

market rent for your new area or your actual rent, whichever is less.



If you move out of Nova Scotia, you are no longer eligible for a rent supplement, the rent

supplement will be placed on hold or closed.



If you are no longer renting (purchased a house), you are no longer eligible for a rent

supplement, the rent supplement will be closed.

The number of people you live with changes:



Your benefit will be recalculated at your next renewal date based on the average

market

rent for your area or your actual rent paid, the number of people in your household,

and new Household Gross Income.

Your income changes:



If your income increases before your annual renewal date, your benefit amount will

remain the same until the date of your next review.



If your income decreases more than 10 per cent during the year, you may ask that

your

benefit amount change to reflect your new, lower income

. You can only ask for

a reassessment once per year—the adjustment will be made on a go forward

basis and

cannot be retroactive.



If your income decreases because you are

engaged in a strike or locked out by your

employer you are not eligible to apply for income adjustment consideration.



If you have

a fluctuating income (i.e., self-employed, or seasonal income can fluctuate

throughout the year), your change in income calculation will be based on total annual

income in comparison to prior annual income.

Please note, not informing DMAH of your change within 30 days may result in an

overpayment.

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Can your benefit be terminated?

The CNSTHB can be terminated if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for their program

stream.

Can your benefits be terminated prior to an annual renewal?

DMAH can terminate your Renter CNSTHB prior to the annual review, if you were not eligible or

no longer eligible because:



You moved out of the province, and you are no longer considered a resident of NS,



You are not living in your rental unit (i.e., are subletting your rental),



You moved into a Public Housing Agency unit or Long-term Care,



You are no longer renting a self-contained unit (i.e., purchased a home, boarding),



You are now renting a room from immediate family or renting a self-contained unit owed by

family where immediate family also resides,



You did not pay your rent on time and in full to your landlord every month and follow all the

terms and conditions of the lease.



You or a member of your household are receiving RGI assistance, or



You or your household member provided misleading information or withheld

information at the time of application or renewal that would have impacted eligibility.

(i.e., owning a home, providing incomplete/inaccurate income information and/or

household composition). This may result in overpayment.



You have been found to have committed or attempted to commit fraud against the Province

or provided misleading information.

If there appears to be fraud or misleading information has purposely been provided,

the case will be forwarded for further investigation and may result in overpayment

and legal action.

Can your benefit be terminated at your annual renewal?

DMAH can terminate your Renter CNSTHB at the time of your annual review for the following

reasons:



Your annual review shows that your income has increased, or household composition

changed to the point where you are no longer eligible.



You did not provide the required information to verify proof of income or rental

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You will receive a reminder letter and renewal application

60 days

before

your renewal. Be sure to include supporting documents for income and

proof of rental when you submit your renewal application.

Your renewal application and documentation must be received by your

renewal date to avoid having your subsidy placed on hold. You have an

additional 60-day grace period before your case is closed permanently.

What happens when the program ends?

The Renter CNSTHB is funded under the National Housing Strategy Bilateral Agreement, which

concludes March 31, 2028. Funding for this program is subject to annual provincial budget

approvals and compliance with Bilateral Agreement requirements. You will be contacted 6

months before the program ends and i n f o r m e d of any new programs and services that

may be available at that time.

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What happens if you disagree with a

decision?

If you disagree with a decision made about your application or case, you can follow a process

to have that decision reconsidered.

You can first discuss the decision with your Case Manager or Client Service Supervisor. You

also have the right to ask for a review of the decision

You can submit a letter or fill out the Decision Review Form asking for a review of your

decision.



What was the decision?



Why you disagree with the decision.



Include relevant information including case #, your name and contact information.

The decision review process will not change (or override) any rules or policies.

You can ask your Case Manager for a copy of the decision form or call 1-833-424-7711.

Who do I contact if I have questions

about the (CNSTHB)?

If you would like general information about the CNSTHB or help filling out an application, you can

By Phone: call toll free 1-833-424-7711 or 902-424-7711 locally within HRM.

By Email: housingsupplements@novascotia.ca

If you are a current CNSTHB client and would like information on your account, please contact

your Rent Supplement Case Manager.

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Appendices

Appendix A -Average Market Rent and Household Income Limits (Effective

April 1, 2024)

Housing Locations & Applicable rates

Effective April 1, 2024 AMR AMR AMR AMR HILs HILs HILs HILs

Housing Authority Housing Location Bachelor 1 BR 2 BR 3 BR Bachelor 1 BR 2 BR 3 BR

CBRM

(County of Cape Breton excluding

Sydney)

697 725 933 1,338 31,000 31,000 45,000 53,000

Sydney 707 759 969 1,433 31,000 31,000 45,000 53,000

Remaining Cape Breton

(Town of Port

Hawkesbury, Counties of Victoria, Inverness and

Richmond)

649 668 838 1,023 62,500 62,500 73,000 84,500

Halifax

(City of Halifax, Beechville, and Lakeside)

1,136 1,382 1,670 2,118

55,000

67,500

77,500

Dartmouth (i

ncludes Cherry Brook, Cole

Harbour, Dartmouth, Lake Loon, Shearwater,

Westphal, Woodside

)

899 1,131 1,386 1,442 55,000 55,000 67,500 77,500

Bedford/Sackville

(Beaverbank, Bedford,

Hammonds Plains, Kinsac, Lakeview, Lower

Sackville, Lucasville, Middle Sackville, South

Uniacke, Upper Hammonds Plains, Upper

Sackville, Windsor Junction)

1,017 1,376 1,723 1,979 55,000 55,000 67,500 77,500

Halifax Other & East Hants 1,074 1,369 1,936 2,219 55,000 55,000 67,500 77,500

Truro CA (

Towns of Truro , Amherst, Oxford,

Stewiacke, and Villages of Bible Hill and

Tatamagouche)

668 798 1,005 1,214 32,000 32,000 42,000 49,500

Northern Cobequid

(Remaining County of

Colchester and County of Cumberland)

668 798 1,005 1,214 62,500 62,500 73,000 84,500

New Glasgow CA

(includes Towns of

Antigonish, Mulgrave, New Glasgow, Pictou,

Stellarton, Trenton,and Westville)

578 742 973 1,047 32,000 32,000 42,000 49,500

Remainder of Northern

(County of

Antigonish, Pictou, Districts of Guysborough and

St Mary's)

578 742 973 1,047 62,500 62,500 73,000 84,500

Kentville Other Small Towns

(includes

Towns of Kentville, Annapolis Royal, Bridgewater,

Berwick, Digby, Lunenburg Mahone Bay, Middleton,

Shelburne, Yarmouth, Clark's Harbour, Lockeport,

Wolfville. Villages of New Minas, Canning, Port

Williams and Greenwood)

629 724 978 1,127 32,000 32,000 42,000 49,500

Remainder of Western

(includes Region of

Queens, District of Argyle, Barrington, Chester,

Clare, Digby, Lunenburg, Shelburne, and

Yarmouth. County of Annapolis, County of Kings)

736 772 1,037 1,123 62,500 62,500 73,000 84,500

Eastern

Central

Northern

Northern Eastern

Western

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Appendix B

Region Office Location and Contact Information

EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE -

Includes Cape Breton

Sydney Office

360 Prince Street, Suite 37, Sydney, NS B1P 5K6

Phone: (902) 539-8520

Toll free: 1-800-565-3135

Fax: (902) 539-0330

METRO (CENTRAL) DISTRICT OFFICE - Includes all of Halifax Regional Municipality and East Hants

Halifax Office

3770 Kempt Road Suite 3 Halifax, NS B3K 4X8

24-hour Switchboard: (902) 420-6000

Toll Free: 1-800-565-8859

Fax: (902) 420-6020

NORTHERN DISTRICT OFFICES -

Includes Antigonish, Guysborough & Pictou Counties,

Cumberland & Colchester Counties

New Glasgow Office

7 Campbell’s Lane New Glasgow, NS

B2H 2H9

Phone: (902) 752-1225

Toll Free: 1-800-933-

2101

Fax: (902) 752-1315

Truro Office

9 Church Street, Truro, NS

B2N 3Z5

Phone: (902) 893-7235

Toll Free: 1-877-846-0440

Fax: (902) 897-1149

WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICES -

Includes the Counties of Annapolis, Kings, part of Hants,

Lunenburg, and Queens Regional Municipality. Also, the Counties of Digby, Yarmouth, and

Shelburne

New Minas Office

25 Kentucky Court New Minas, NS B4N 4N1

Phone: (902) 681-3179

Toll Free: 1-800-441-0447

Fax: (902) 681-0806

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