Chair and Members of Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Rose Marie and I am the Chair of Solo – Small Ownership Landlords of Ontario.
I am here to discuss a simple, existing tool within the Ontario Works program that has the
potential to help prevent homelessness, reduce emergency assistance costs, Police visiits, and improve housing stability for some of Hamilton’s most vulnerable residents.
That tool is Ontario Works Directive 3.7, commonly known as Pay Direct.
Many people are unaware that this authority exists. In fact, it may be one of the best-kept
secrets within the Ontario Works system. Directive 3.7 is supported by Section 18 of the
Ontario Works Act and Section 61 of Ontario Regulation 134/98. It allows Ontario Works
administrators to direct a portion of a recipients financial assistance directly to a landlord or utility provider on behalf of the recipient.
The purpose of this legislation is straightforward: to prevent housing loss and ensure that
basic needs are met when a recipient is unable to consistently manage these critical
expenses.
The directive specifically identifies situations where Pay Direct should be considered,
including:
• A demonstrated pattern of misusing assistance resulting in insufficient funds for
food or shelter.
• Frequent late payment of rent or utilities.
• Rent or utility arrears.
• Risk of eviction or utility disconnection.
• Circumstances where the misuse of assistance has harmed or is likely to harm members of the benefit unit.
Most significantly, the directive states that when a landlord confirms that eviction
proceedings are being initiated because of non-payment of rent, the City is expected to
immediately establish a Pay Direct arrangement to prevent housing destabilization.
This is not a new program.
It does not require a consultant.
It does not require a pilot project.
It does not require additional studies.
It does not require additional funding.
The legislative authority already exists.
The administrative framework already exists.
The question is whether it is being used effectively and consistently.
Every year, Hamilton spends substantial resources responding to homelessness after
it occurs. We fund shelters, temporary accommodations, eviction prevention
initiatives, emergency housing supports, and housing stabilization programs.
Yet Directive 3.7 provides a preventative tool that can stop some housing crises before they begin.
Many Ontario Works recipients successfully manage their finances and should continue to
do so independently. However, there are also individuals struggling with addiction, mental
health challenges, cognitive impairments, financial literacy barriers, or other circumstances that make it difficult to consistently prioritize rent payments.
Some families become trapped in a cycle of receiving assistance, missing rent payments,
facing eviction, requiring emergency funding, obtaining new housing, and then repeating the same pattern again.
The result is instability for families, stress for landlords, increased pressure on emergency
shelters, and higher costs for taxpayers.
A properly implemented Pay Direct arrangement can interrupt that cycle.
When rent is paid directly to the landlord, housing stability improves. Evictions may be
prevented. Utility disconnections can be avoided. Emergency interventions become less
necessary.
This approach also protects public funds by ensuring that assistance intended for shelter
costs is actually used for shelter costs.
I would encourage Council to request information from staff regarding:
1. How many Ontario Works recipients in Hamilton currently participate in Pay Direct
arrangements.
2. How many evictions have been prevented through the use of Directive 3.7.
3. What policies and procedures are in place to identify recipients who meet the criteria
for Pay Direct.
4. Whether additional outreach or education is needed for caseworkers, landlords, and
recipients regarding this available tool.
The housing and homelessness crisis requires both large-scale solutions and practical
solutions.
Directive 3.7 is one of those practical solutions.
It is available today.
It is authorized by law.
It costs little to implement.
And for some of our most vulnerable residents, it may be the difference between maintaining housing and becoming homeless.
I would like to give 2 examples of landlord housing providers who have been impacted. 897 Barton St E. The tenant stopped paying rent. When the landlord as to pay direct, OW replied “we can’t help you”. “It’s the tenant’s decision” and subsequently the tenant claimed bankruptcy and not only did they not pay, they are permitted by bankruptcy law to stay. The total arrears of $6889 was a financial loss to the landlord. One of my questions, through the Chair “Who is going to make that landlord whole?” Another case that I would like to present is at Unit 27 Proctor Blvd., also in Ward 3. Due to the same process of Ontario Works in Hamilton refusing to assist, on of the clients was convicted in Ontario Court of Justice on January 20, 2026. This would never have been pursued if the landlord had received support in Ontario works own policies. That same tenant also caused landlord’s harm at 100 Park St. North, 44 Campbell Ave. and 3 other addresses in Wards 3, 4 and 7. (Note: all addresses are public record on publicly available databases)
In closing, I urge Council to ensure that this existing legislative tool is being fully utilized to support housing stability, protect public resources, and help prevent homelessness in our
community.
Thank you for your time, and I welcome any questions.
The longer-form delegation can be viewed here.
