Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I am on ODSP?

This article was originally published by The Hamilton Spectator.

Q: Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I am on ODSP?

A: Rental prices have risen dramatically through the pandemic, and there is little in the way of municipal policy to support affordable housing or folks living in encampments. For people on fixed incomes and receiving social assistance through programs like ODSP, the current rental climate and lack of compassion in the city is cause for concern.

For people who received public assistance, like ODSP, the Ontario Human Rights Code provides some protection when it comes to searching for housing. Specifically, the Code provides a right to be free from discrimination on the basis of the receipt of public assistance. For people who receive ODSP specifically, the Code also provides protection against discrimination on the basis of disability. This means that a landlord cannot refuse to rent to someone solely on the basis that they receive public assistance, such as ODSP. There are very few exceptions to this protection.

If you are a tenant searching for housing and a landlord refuses to rent to you because you are on ODSP or receive some other form of public assistance, I would encourage you to consult with a lawyer and consider filing an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

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