RentSmart
RentSmart Windsor-Essex is an educational program that aims to empower residents with knowledge of tenancy rights and provides communication tools to improve tenant-landlord relationships. The goal of the program is to encourage successful tenancies.
Two types of courses are delivered by local RentSmart educators:
- Basics: 3-hour introductory course
- Certificate: 12-hour tenant certificate course
Background
RentSmart Windsor-Essex was initiated through a partnership between the City of Windsor’s Housing Department and Pathway to Potential (P2P) in 2019. P2P and the Housing Department provided ongoing commitment and capacity-building support with the development of local RentSmart educators. The partnership through the RentSmart program was also highlighted as a strategic goal within Housing’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Master Plan. Since 2019, over 20 staff from 18 Windsor-Essex agencies have been trained as RentSmart educators. Within the community, over 200 Windsor-Essex residents increased their knowledge of housing rights through their participation in the RentSmart program.
RentSmart Windsor-Essex Educators
If you are interested in taking a RentSmart course, please contact the following Windsor-Essex organizations to inquire or register:
Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB)
- Phone: 519-255-7440
Course Details: Open to CMHA-WECB clients, Ontario Works (OW) clients, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) clients, and the community
Community Living Essex County
- Phone: 519-776-6483
- Course Details: Courses delivered to Windsor and Essex County residents with an intellectual disability
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Downtown Mission - Windsor Youth Centre
- Phone: 226-674-0006
- Email: wyc@downtownmission.com
- Course Details: Courses delivered for at-risk/homeless youth in Windsor
The Bridge Youth Resource Centre
- Course Details: Serves youth aged 14 to 24 that are clients of The Bridge in Leamington
University of Windsor
- Phone: 519-253-3000 ext. 3938
Course Details: One-hour abridged version offered to international students that will be attending the University of Windsor
Housing Information Services of Windsor and Essex County
- Phone: 519-254-4824
Course Details: Courses open to Windsor-Essex tenants through housing support workers/the Landlord Liaisons Team
Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation (CHC)
- Phone: 519-254-1681
Course Details: Courses delivered to adults and teenagers at CHC properties, Glengarry and West/East End properties
Windsor Homes Coalition Inc.
- Phone: 519-258-4501
- Email: info@wfhcp.com
Course Details: Open to Windsor-Essex residents, offers transportation for participants within city of Windsor limits (within funding availability)
Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc.
- Phone: 519-256-6621
- Email: info@westofwindsor.com
Course Details: Courses delivered to girls and women (newcomers, refugees, and Canadian citizens) in Windsor
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