Subsidized housing

Subsidized housing aka Social housing is government supported accommodation for people with low to moderate incomes. It includes housing subsidies, non-profit housing, public housing, rent supplements and some forms of co-operative and private sector housing,

Types

Co-operative housing

Co-operative housing is real property controlled by the members of the co-op, which is run by a board of directors. There is no outside landlord. All residents of the co-op must become members and agree to follow certain by-laws. Residents pay a monthly charge that is set by the co-op in its annual budget. In some countries co-ops get government funding to support a rent-geared-to-income program for low-income residents. In addition to providing affordable housing, some co-ops serve the needs of specific communities, including seniors, people with disabilities and artists.

Housing subsidies

Housing subsidies are government funding to aid low income owners/tenants. This can be done on a percentage of income basis or some other formula.

Non-profit housing

Non-profit housing is owned and managed by private non-profit groups such as churches, ethnocultural communities or by governments. Non-profit housing uses private funding and government subsidies to support a rent-geared-to-income program for low-income tenants.

Private sector housing

Private sector housing is subsidized by the government. This could be in the form of low cost housing or supplements to the builder, owner or tenant.

Public housing

Public housing is real property owned and managed by the government. Tenants must meet specific eligibility requirements.

Rent supplements

Rent supplements are subsidies paid by the government to private landlords who accept low-income tenants. The supplements make up the difference between rental market price and the amount of rent paid by tenants, for example 30% of the tenants income.

Beneficiaries

Participants in subsidized housing include, but are not limited to, people from these demographic groups:

• Aboriginals
• Domestic violence
• Homeless
• Low income
• Mental or physical disability
• Seniors