DESCRIPTION
Rent Assist Allies (RAA) helps families at risk of homelessness maintain stable housing by providing rent subsidies paired with practical supports that foster recovery and self-sufficiency. By stabilizing families before they entering destabilizing emergency shelters, RAA offers a cost-effective, scaleable, preventative approach that keeps families housed, hopeful, and supported as they recover and rebuild. Applications are accepted by referral only, largely from agencies that participated in the community advisory committee that developed and launched RAA. Agencies submit an online application, that is reviewed for eligibility. Applicant households must: include an adult with at least one child under the age of 18, be at risk of homelessness, not be in receipt of government rent subsides such as the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit or RGI rent subsidy, and be willing to work toward financial self-sufficiency. Subsidies are available for up to 5 years, based on an annual review for need.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
Policy when providing a rent subsidy is to calculate the subsidy such that the family will not have more money after paying rent than the basic needs portion for a family on OW of the same size and composition.
Target Completion Date
N/A
Populations Served
Homelessness
Total Project Cost
$250,000
Total Units
5
Affordable Units
N/A
Project Funding
Funding Required
Tennant Stability Fund. Funding requested: Request to PFAH is $50,000/ year for three years (Starting Jan 2027) to allow us to fund our current clients for the next three years. The average monthly subsidy for our current RAA clients is $825/ month, with an annual cost of about $50,000/year.
Funds Raised
$96,000 from the Catherine Donnelly Foundation for (2-year commitment) ending Dec 2026, which funded startup costs plus administration and rent subsidies for 5 families. City of Ottawa grant: $36,000 (secured) for administration costs 2026-2027. Fundraising target from private donors in 2026 is $200,000 to be used for rent subsidies for new clients.
Use of funds
The funds will be used for rent subsidies to RAA recipients. RAA is in its startup phase, and is poised to grow. The PFAH funds will provide a secure foundation for our current clients, allowing us to focus on fundraising to grow our funding base for rent subsidies, and thereby the number of clients we can serve. The current funding we have is sufficient for the clients we have for this year, but we are turning away eligible applicants because we do not have funds available. We are in the process of developing a fundraising plan and expect to be able to raise $200k in the next 12 months. Funding from PFAH will ensure that we can direct new funds raised to increasing the number of clients served.
Human Impact Story
RAA began onboarding clients in October 2025.
Client A: Single dad (cab driver), widowed with a daughter. Having trouble making ends meet; enabled him to keep current housing while working toward a higher, more predictable income.
Client B: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, immigrant from Cameroon. Fled domestic violence with two children, with a third on the way. Stabilized in an apartment while helping her secure childcare so she can take steps toward full-time employment in her field.
MAP
