RentSmart
RentSmart
RentSmart is a housing stability model offering education, life skills, and support to tenants, landlords and community organizations with one goal: successful tenancies.
In 2019, Pathway to Potential (P2P) and Housing Services worked together to implement the RentSmart program in Windsor-Essex County. An Expression of Interest (EOI) was sent to all appropriate community agencies that would work with prospective tenants and/or landlords. Housing Services incorporated the ongoing commitment to deliver RentSmart in their 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Master Plan.
P2P continues a Community of Practice (CoP) to support community and housing agencies with the delivery of RentSmart courses across Windsor and Essex County.
RentSmart Service Providers in Windsor-Essex County
P2P has provided support for several community partners to receive RentSmart educator training. The following organizations deliver RentSmart courses to their clients and/or individuals across Windsor and Essex County:
Access County Community Support Services
Courses delivered to Children's Aid Society (CAS) Crown Ward clients in Essex County
Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB)
- Open to CMHA-WECB clients, Ontario Works (OW) clients, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) clients, and the community
- Phone: 519-255-7440
Community Living Essex County
- Courses delivered to Windsor and Essex County residents with an intellectual disability
- Phone: 519-776-6483
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Downtown Mission - Windsor Youth Centre
- Courses delivered for at-risk/homeless youth in Windsor
- Phone: 226-674-0006
- Email: wyc@downtownmission.com
The Bridge Youth Resource Centre
- Serves youth aged 14 to 24 that are clients of The Bridge in Leamington
University of Windsor
- One-hour abridged version offered to international students that will be attending the University of Windsor
- Phone: 519-253-3000 ext. 3938
Housing Information Services of Windsor and Essex County
- Courses open to Windsor-Essex tenants through housing support workers/the Landlord Liaisons Team
- Phone: 519-254-4824
Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation
- Courses delivered to adults and teenagers at CHC properties, Glengarry and West/East End properties
- Phone: 519-254-1681
Windsor Homes Coalition Inc.
- Open to Windsor-Essex residents, offers transportation for participants within city of Windsor limits (within funding availability)
- Phone: 519-258-4501
- Email: info@wfhcp.com
Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc.
- Courses delivered to youth girls and women (newcomers, refugees, and Canadian citizens) in Windsor
- Phone: 519-256-6621
- Email: info@westofwindsor.com
Impact
| Year | RentSmart Courses Delivered | RentSmart Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 66 | 501 |
| 2020 | 9 | 87 |
| 2021 | 13 | 45 |
| 2022 | 14 | 144 |
Testimonials
“The RentSmart program and staff helped me to learn about Canadian Landlords and Tenants responsibilities and rights, things to look for when choosing a rental property, how to choose a rental house or apartment, and how to manage your finances and many more. These have been very useful information and tools for me as I integrate into my new Canadian life. I am very thankful to the RentSmart program because it provides me life skills, support and education with one goal, successful tenancies.” - RentSmart Graduate
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to take this course. I have learned a lot about housing, how to be a better tenant and learned what my landlord’s legal obligations are if I ever come across a housing issue.” - RentSmart Graduate