Support for Local Tenants During COVID-19
Dear tenants,
We hope you are faring as well as can be expected during these unprecedented times. For anyone who is in need of help or has specific questions as to what to do or how your landlord is reacting, we have put together this email as a quick summary of the help available to you.
City of Toronto
The city of Toronto has set up a Social Support website in response to COVID-19: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-social-support/
Here you will find guidance on how to find support with childcare, food and more. There is also a special section for senior citizens.
For one-on-one support through the city, you can call 2-1-1 from you phone.
Food Delivery
As we quarantine to avoid spreading the novel Coronavirus, it is best to get delivery of essential goods if we can afford the extra cost/wait. Luckily, there are many food delivery options available to residents in Toronto. Below are a few that are known to be reliable. Please note that when ordered through a third-party, such as Instacart, there is usually a mark-up applied to standard prices of approximately 8% in most cases.
Instacart Canada (options include Loblaws & Walmart)
Foodora (same day restaurant delivery, including LCBO)
Important consideration: The demand of grocery delivery is considerable at the moment. Many of the options have wait time of a week or two. Please try to plan ahead as best as possible.
Rent & Help from Local Landlords
This is a developing situation. While it is possible that our various levels of government may step in to assist with rent and other matters, we are currently reliant on the consideration of our local landlords. Luckily, both GWL and Minto have shown a willingness to assist.
GWL
To tenants of GWL buildings (77 Quebec, 40, 35, 65, and 95 High Park, 66 Pacific, and townhomes on High Park), GWL has announced a rental assistance program which may be of use to those truly struggling to pay rent. See their notice below:
Rental Assistance Program
The topic of rent assistance is top-of-mind at all levels of government. We are actively participating in conversations with industry associations and government officials to find ways to access the aid to those that need it most.
In the meantime, there are a number of steps we’re taking to help those residents that need support immediately and/or may require it in the future.
Immediate Access
For those who have suffered job loss or reduced hours and are concerned about their ability to cover April’s rent, we have set up a dedicated team who are available to quickly assess your situation and provide support and assistance. An online form is available on our website and through e-mail at: helpingyou@gwlra.com. Completing and submitting the form will allows us to quickly assess your situation and provide the right level of support and advice. Here is a direct link to the application form: https://gwlra-residentialupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Resident-Request-For-Rent-Assistance-Form.pdf
Minto
Minto Apartments released the following in an email to tenants on March 23, 2020:
"First and foremost, we are postponing any rental increases that are to take effect as of April 1st, 2020 or later. These increases will be deferred and become effective July 1st, 2020. If you have a scheduled rent increase for the months of April, May or June, you will be receiving a separate communication that will specifically address the deferral period. No further rent increase letters will be issued at this time. We will continue to review and assess the situation and its impact on an ongoing basis, and will extend the rent increase freeze if required.
If you are directly impacted financially by COVID-19, please reach out to your Property Manager to discuss your personal circumstances. We are actively working together with a large group of like-minded property management companies and are in contact with all levels of government to explore all possible rent relief options to support tenants who are suffering financial hardship."
The Minto resident portal can be found here: https://www.minto.com/gta/apartment-rentals/projects/Already-a-Resident~145.html
All of the volunteers of the HPTA hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy.
We will continue to update you as the situation changes.
Warmest regards,
The HPTA