Applying for Community Housing

The Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) recognizes that some households face circumstances that require faster access to housing. As part of the housing waitlist, applicants may quality for priority status that places them ahead of household without priority status. There are two different priority status categories: 

Special Priority Status

• Victims of Domestic Violence – This category is for individuals fleeing domestic abuse or violence. 
• Human Trafficking – This category is for individuals who are or have been trafficked. 

A request to be included in the Special Priority category must:

• Be requested in writing
• Be made by a member of the household who is 16 years or older
• Include the written consent of the individual referred, or a person authorized to consent on their behalf, consenting disclosure to the Service Manager to verify eligibility. 
• The record must be prepared by a person in their professional capacity as:
  • A doctor, registered nurse or registered practical nurse, lawyer, law enforcement officer, minister of a religion under provincial law to perform marriages, teacher, guidance counsellor, manager/administrative position with a Housing Provider, registered early childhood educator, Indigenous Elder, Indigenous Traditional Person or Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, member of the College of Midwives of Ontario, Indigenous person who provides traditional midwifery services, psychotherapist, registered psychotherapist, or registered health therapist, registered social worker, registered social service worker, or personal familiar with the abuse if the record is accompanied by a declaration of truth of the record administered by a commissioner for taking affidavits. 

Local Urgent Priority Status

The Local Urgent Priority category is accorded to the below groups: 

• Uninhabitable Housing – A member of the household is living in a condemned housing or housing that has become uninhabitable.
  • Documentation required may include documentation from the Chief Building Official, Fire Official, and/or Landlord Tenant Board. This documentation must demonstrate that the unit is uninhabitable and will not be available for occupancy for an extended period and list the occupants affected. 
• Safety – A member of the household does not qualify for Special Priority Status but is subject to current abuse from a family member, former partner, or a member of the household, including ongoing or extraordinary threat to personal safety by a non-family member and a change in housing will result in a significant increase in personal safety.
  • A document or letter from one of the following is required: a doctor, lawyer, law enforcement officer, shelter worker, or social service worker. 
• Cochrane District By-Name List – A member of the household is on the Cochrane District By-Name List (BNL) and is participating with the Cochrane District System of Care. Priority is only granted if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Service Manager that the household has appropriate supports in place and a care plan is in effect. 
• Life Threatening Medical – A member of the household has a life-threatening medical condition made worse by the current housing situation.
  • Documentation will demonstrate through a licensed physician’s medical opinion that a move in house remove the life-threatening aspect of the health condition. A special form must be completed by a doctor. 

If you’re not sure if you qualify for Special Priority Status or Local Urgent Priority Status, please contact our Housing Intake staff at: