Definitions

Accessible Housing means housing that is designed to meet legislative requirements for accessibility, both inside and out. The intent of accessible housing is to accommodate the needs of individuals living with physical disabilities through building modifications. 

Affordable Housing which is also defined as attainable housing means:

1. In the case of ownership housing, the least expensive of:
   • Housing for which the purchase price results in annual accommodation costs which do not exceed 30 percent of gross annual household income for low- and moderate-income households; or
   • Housing for which the purchase price is at least 10 percent below the average purchase price of a resale unit in the regional market area.
2. In the case of rental housing, the least expensive of:
   • A unit for which the rent does not exceed 30 percent of gross annual household income for low- and moderate-income households; or
   • A unit for which the rent is at or below the average market rent of a unit in the regional market area.
3. Gross annual household income outlined in (a) and (b) above includes all shelter expenses paid by households. For ownership households this includes the average monthly total of all shelter expenses paid by households including mortgage payments, property taxes and condominium fees, along with the cost of electricity, heat, water, and other municipal services. For rental households this includes the average monthly total of all shelter expenses paid by households including rent, electricity, heat, water, and other municipal services.

legalize an existing secondary unit such as a basement apartment

Community Housing means housing that was built or funded under a range of federal, provincial, or municipal housing programs and is provided to eligible tenants on the basis of defined need. Rents are typically geared to a household’s income but there are some units which are rented at the low end of the market or market rates. The landlords for community housing, typically called housing providers, include community-based non-profit and co-operative housing corporations as well as units owned by Niagara Regional Housing.

Core Housing Need refers to the housing needs for low-and moderate-income households. The concept looks at a household’s current situation and their potential to address housing challenges they are currently experiencing. Core Housing Need occurs when a household experiences one or more of the following challenges:

1. Affordability: Shelter costs exceed 30% or more of pre-tax income and they do not have the means to make a move or find an available affordable home in their community;
2. Inadequacy: Major repairs to the dwelling are required and the household does not have the means to move to a good unit in their community; and/or
3. Suitability: There are not enough bedrooms for the household (1 person per bedroom), and they do not have the means to move to a properly sized dwelling in their community. 

Emergency Shelter means facilities that provide board, lodging and personal needs to homelessness individuals or families on a short term and infrequent basis. They assist individuals in crisis seeking temporary housing and supports pending resolution of the issues that gave rise to the emergency.

Garden Suite means a one-unit detached residential structure containing bathroom and kitchen facilities, that is ancillary to an existing residential structure and is designed to be portable and for a temporary use.

(The Town has determined that there is a need to improve the garden suite policies in the Town’s Official Plan and provisions in the Town’s Zoning By-law - see our Speak Up Lincoln page on this project.) 

Homeless means an individual or family without stable, permanent appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and the ability of acquiring housing.

Market Housing means ownership or rental housing provided by private developers or landlords without subsidies provided through an affordable housing program.

Secondary Dwelling Unit means a self-contained residential unit located within the principal dwelling unit of a single detached, semi-detached, duplex and townhouse dwelling, or within an accessory building.  

Supportive Housing means a combination of housing assistance and supports that enable people to live as independently as possible in their community. This includes several forms of housing assistance (e.g., rent geared-to-income, rent supplements, housing allowances) and housing types (e.g., dedicated buildings, individual units). Supports also take a variety of forms and vary in intensity based on people’s unique needs. A few examples of supports include counselling, personal support, case management, income support and assistance with applying for social assistance, assistance with medication, and life skills training (e.g., purchasing food/meal preparation, and money management).

Transitional Housing means housing facilities that provided targeted, provisional services that assist individuals to transition beyond basic needs to more permanent forms of housing. This type of housing generally has a long length of stay than emergency shelters.