Many home owners would like to rent out a part of the house to increase the family income and help pay off the mortgage faster, but not many landlords have enough information and knowledge about the rental issues such as community or house safety, insurance, or relationship with the neighbors and tenants. If any issue is handled improperly the landlord could face possible lawsuit, decreased living quality or loss of property value.

Besides providing the information & referral service to inquiry on Tenant Protection Act, subsidized housing, and senior housing, Centre for Information & Community Services of Ontario (CICS) started Homelessness project in joint partnership with Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) in 2000. Funded by the City of Toronto, the current project organizes a series of public education activities to raise the awareness about legal operation of second suites. It focuses on helping the home owners, landlords, and tenants residing in Scarborough to acquire more in-depth understanding about housing in term of government regulations, bylaws and community culture; to participate in the area of policy development and discussion process, and to avoid unnecessary conflicts and stress. Through this project, both landlords and tenants can be made aware of their responsibilities and rights and ultimately every effort will be made to build a safe and healthy neighborhood.

For detail information about the services and information on housing, please click on one of the following links: workshop, mall display, telephone inquiry and in-person supportive counseling.