Consent authority of service managers
As a service manager, learn about the authority you have under the Housing Services Act, 2011 and how to request a minister’s consent.
Overview
Service managers across the province oversee affordable housing projects in their service area. To meet local housing needs, they use federal, provincial and municipal funds to establish, administer and fund housing and homelessness programs and services. They can also provide housing directly.
Under the Housing Services Act, service managers have the authority to make specific consent decisions. These include:
- make certain changes to local housing corporations (section 32 (a), 33 (a), 34 (a) and 35 (a) of the act)
- transfer some social housing properties (section 161(2) and 162(2) of the act)
- mortgage housing projects (section 161 and 162 of the act)
- redevelop housing projects (section 161 of the act)
- make corporate changes (section 166 of the act)
When minister’s consent is required
Service managers must submit a request for consent on behalf of local housing corporations that want to opt out of the bulk natural gas or insurance programs of the Housing Services Corporation.
Minister’s consent is also required to transfer certain housing projects when either:
- a service manager has obtained court appointment of a receiver for the housing provider, or
- a service manager replaces members of the housing provider’s Board of Directors with new members
Before you send a request
You should consider how a proposed action will affect housing and service delivery.
As a service manager, you should evaluate your request based on how:
- tenants will be affected by the proposal and how their interests will be protected
- you will continue to meet service level standards per the Housing Services Act, 2011
- you will use the money generated from a sale
- a proposed sale will impact the overall supply of social and affordable housing
- any potential mortgage may be affected
You should also consider how a transfer may trigger an obligation to provide the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) its net share of the gain under the Canada-Ontario Social Housing Agreement.
How to request minister’s consent
To request a minister’s consent, you must gather the required documents and send them to:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Housing Division
777 Bay Street, 14th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2J3
Required documents
Contact information
Include the name and contact information of the:
- service manager
- housing provider
- existing lender (and their mortgage loan number)
Resolutions
- a council resolution approving the consent request or proof of delegated authority to a staff member
- a resolution of the outgoing and incoming housing provider boards approving the consent request
Plans
- a plan to maintain service level standards
- an action plan to address potential issues of residents currently living in the units affected (for example, plan to relocate tenants)
- a business case with detailed information on the type of housing being considered for the sale, including housing type and bedroom unit count
Mortgage documents
- CMHC account number, if applicable
- a draft CMHC mortgage assumption agreement, if the lender is CMHC
- a copy of the mortgage assumption agreement from the solicitor acting for the purchaser, if the lender is a financial institution or insurance company
Other documents
- a parcel register for each project or property
- a draft purchase and sale agreement, including a proposal that details how any environmental issues will be mitigated
- any surveys, reference plans, collateral agreements or shared facilities agreements
- a copy of any court documents relating to the transaction, especially if this is a receiver driven sale or transfer
When you’ll be notified
After you send your request, you'll be notified within 7 days after the minister makes a decision.