In Ottawa, “affordable housing” is an umbrella term, while rent-geared-to-income (RGI) is a specific subsidy program. RGI rent is generally calculated from household income; the City’s Below Market Rent (BMR) program offers a fixed rent of up to 80% of Ottawa’s average market rent as published by CMHC. The right application route and what happens after an offer depend on which option you pursue.
What “affordable housing” means in Ottawa
Affordable housing is not one single Ottawa rent program. The Housing Registry of Ottawa says RGI, below-market-rent housing and supportive housing can all fall within the broader category of affordable housing. They are distinct options, with different rent rules and application consequences. Housing Registry glossary
RGI and BMR compared
| Feature | Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) | Below Market Rent (BMR), Ottawa |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A specific subsidized-housing program; rent is determined under income-based program rules. | A fixed-rent program within Ottawa’s broader affordable-housing category. |
| How rent is set | Generally based on 30% of adjusted family net income reported on Line 23600 of the annual Notice of Assessment. If social assistance is the household’s only income, the Province sets the rent under its rules. | Fixed at up to 80% of CMHC’s average market rent for Ottawa. |
| Is rent tied to household income? | Yes. The applicable income calculation affects rent, and eligibility limits apply. | No. Rent is not calculated as a share of the tenant’s income, though program eligibility rules still apply. |
| Where to apply | Apply to the Social Housing Registry of Ottawa and identify the providers or communities where you want to be considered. | Use the Registry’s separate affordable-housing application and identify BMR providers. |
| What happens to an RGI application after accepting an offer? | The RGI subsidy is attached to the unit, not portable to a new home. The Registry says there is one RGI offer; declining it cancels the RGI application. | Accepting a BMR unit does not end an existing RGI application. |
Sources: City of Ottawa, Rent-Geared-to-Income Assistance; City of Ottawa, Below Market Rent Program; Housing Registry FAQs.
How Ottawa calculates RGI rent
The City’s detailed description says the usual calculation is 30% of adjusted family net income shown at Line 23600 on the household’s annual Notice of Assessment. That is more specific than the Registry glossary’s shorthand description of RGI as usually 30% of gross monthly income. Households whose only income is social assistance have rent set by the Province, so the usual calculation should not be treated as identical for every household. City of Ottawa RGI assistance Housing Registry glossary
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RGI income and asset limits
The Housing Registry’s Q&A, last updated January 2026, lists these household income limits according to the largest bedroom size for which a household qualifies:
| Largest qualifying unit size | Household income limit |
|---|---|
| Bachelor | $51,500 |
| 1 bedroom | $62,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | $74,000 |
| 3 bedrooms | $80,000 |
| 4 bedrooms or more | $94,500 |
The same January 2026 Q&A sets asset limits at $50,000 for a one-person household and $75,000 for a household of two or more. The Registry says some assets are excluded and it determines the countable value; examples of excluded items include a vehicle, personal effects, clothing, home furnishings, and registered RRSP, RRIF, RESP and RDSP plans. Limits and asset rules are date-sensitive, so check the Registry’s current Income and Asset Limit Rules Q&A and ask the Registry how they apply to your household.
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How to apply and manage an RGI application
- Apply through the Social Housing Registry of Ottawa. Complete the RGI application and indicate the housing providers or communities you want to be considered for.
- Gather the required documents and signatures. The City says household members must provide proof of status in Canada, proof of income and other documents requested by the application. Household members aged 16 or older must sign.
- Keep your file current. Update contact details, household size and accessibility needs when they change. The Registry asks applicants to confirm at least once each year that their file remains active.
- Track offers carefully. The Registry manages the centralized waiting list under agreement with the City; housing providers make offers under legislated rules and based on the fit between an available unit and household needs.
Sources: City of Ottawa RGI assistance; Housing Registry FAQs; Registry income and asset limits Q&A.
Waits, offers and priorities
Waiting time
The Registry warns that a wait can take five or more years and says it cannot predict when a particular unit will become available. This is a general warning, not a personal estimate: timing depends on household needs, unit availability and the providers selected. Keeping your application active and contact information up to date helps you remain reachable, but does not guarantee a particular timeline. Housing Registry FAQs
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Consequences of an offer
The Registry describes one RGI offer. If you decline it, the RGI file is cancelled; a new application starts with a new application date. Accepting a BMR or supportive-housing unit does not end an RGI application already in progress. RGI assistance is attached to the unit and cannot be carried to a different home. Housing Registry FAQs City of Ottawa RGI assistance
Priority categories
The City lists Special Provincial Priority for some households separating from an abuser, as well as local priorities that include homelessness, life-threatening medical circumstances made worse by the current home, and urgent safety circumstances. Each category has evidence and eligibility conditions. Contact the Registry to discuss your situation; a general hardship does not by itself establish priority. City of Ottawa RGI assistance
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Which option should you investigate?
- Look into RGI if income-based rent is important and your household may meet the program’s income, asset and other eligibility rules. Apply through the Social Housing Registry and consider the offer and cancellation rules before declining an RGI unit.
- Look into BMR if a fixed, below-market rent suits your circumstances. Its rent is not adjusted as a percentage of your income, and accepting a BMR unit leaves an RGI application active.
- Ask about supportive housing if you need housing with support services. It is another form of housing that can sit within the broader affordable-housing category, not another name for RGI.
For specific eligibility decisions, current application forms and provider availability, use the Housing Registry of Ottawa and the City’s program pages.
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