The Social Housing Reform Act, 2000,  regulation 298/01,s.26, gives the Algoma District Services Administration Board (ADSAB), the authority to establish local occupancy standards for their district.

What are Local Occupancy Standards?

Local Occupancy Standards are a set of rules used to determine the unit size (based on the number of bedrooms) a household is eligible for. These standards are followed as closely as possible when placing tenants into units. Additional bedrooms may be granted if requested in writing but are only granted due to individual special circumstances. Any variation to these standards will require a full review and documentation to support the need.

According to the Local Occupancy Standards;

1.    The Largest Unit a household is eligible for:

• One bedroom for spouses (including same-sex partners).

• One bedroom for each additional member of the household.

• An additional bedroom will only be granted under the following specific circumstances and are reviewed on an individual basis:

a. A spouse requires a separate bedroom because of a documented medical disability or condition.  The Attending Physician's Report form must be completed by a physician and support the request for an additional room.

b. A member of the household is disabled or has a medical condition that requires a separate bedroom to store equipment related to their medical condition. The Attending Physician's Report form must be completed by a physician and support the request for an additional room.

c. The additional bedroom is required by a person who is not a member of the household but who provides support services to a household member who has a disability or medical condition. The Attending Physician's Report form must be completed by a physician and support the request for an additional room.

d. A member of the household is pregnant;

e. The additional bedroom is required to fulfill the requirements of a joint custody court agreement where the child(ren) are not members of the household.  A copy of the agreement is required.

f. The additional bedroom is required to fulfill the requirements of a visitation court agreement where the child(ren) are not members of the household.  A copy of the agreement is required.

• The additional bedroom is for a child(ren) up to the age of 26, who are counted as part of the household, but are away as a full-time student at a recognized school which is out-of-town.

• For households that have an odd number of members one bedroom will be assigned according to the following minimum standards; 3 members = 2 bedrooms; 5 members = 3 bedrooms, etc.

2. The Smallest Unit a household is eligible for:

• One bedroom for every two household members;

• One bedroom may be assigned to a parent and child if the parent and child are of the same or of different sex and the child is under the age of five (5), if;

a. this is agreed to by the tenant/applicant and,

b. if the housing provider consents.