Housing Services detailed client consent
Your privacy and knowledgeable consent are important to us.
As of May 15, 2023
Consent to your communication preferences
Peel Region uses a secure Housing System which is accessed by authorized employees of Peel Region Housing Services, and by authorized employees of some service delivery partners who are contracted by Peel Region to provide programs and services, for purposes including: registering clients for programs and services, booking appointments, reporting and planning.
You have the option to consent to your name, email address or telephone number being entered into our Housing System, and being accessible to some Service Delivery Partners, to provide you with housing-related services. Ensure you only provide information that can be used to contact you safely and securely.
Your options for communication include the following:
- phone
- text
- all 3 options
Email and text messages are not encrypted, so we cannot guarantee the security of these messages. We will minimize the personal information provided via email or text to maintain confidentiality.
By indicating these contact methods, you are consenting to Peel Region Housing Services and our service delivery partners contacting you using your preferred method of communication.
You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by reaching out to your Housing contact person.
Consent to collection, use and disclosure of personal information
A Housing Needs Assessment is required for the purposes of gathering information on your circumstances, barriers and opportunities, to determine the best path forward or verify your initial or ongoing eligibility, and to support your household towards stable and affordable housing.
Your personal information is collected pursuant to the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 2001, S.O., c.25, s.11(1) and will be retained, used, disclosed and disposed of in accordance with all applicable municipal, federal, and provincial laws and regulations governing the collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal of personal information including the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1990 and the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004.
The information you provide will be entered into our secure Housing System and will be accessed by authorized employees of Housing Services or your lead service provider, for the purposes of matching you to housing supports. Your personal information may also be accessed and used by Peel Region to create reports for research, satisfy our accountability obligations to our funders and to improve our services and service delivery to clients like you.
To continue to enroll in Housing Services, we gather additional personal information about you and your household to customize our services to your needs.
You and your household's personal information will include (but not limited to):
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Contact information
- Gender identification
- Marital and family status
- Housing or shelter history
- Health status or conditions
- Citizenship or immigration status
- Employment status
- Income and asset information
- Education
- Veteran status
- Indigenous indicator
- Reason for service or discharge
- Social Insurance Number (for your tax purposes)
Your consent is required to collect, use, and disclose information for the purposes of administering housing-related services.
Once you consent to formally enroll you and your household in Housing Services, a case file will be created for you to determine what services are available to help with your circumstances, and to verify your initial or ongoing eligibility.
Authorized users of our Housing System may access your personal information to provide you and your household with the following housing related services:
- Short-term or one-time services.
- Long term subsidies and allowances.
- Case management supports and referrals.
- Coordinated access to housing programs and housing benefits.
- Administering shelter services.
- Determining or verifying your initial and ongoing eligibility for your stay at a shelter.
- Program evaluation including surveys for program planning, program improvement and reporting respecting homelessness in Peel Region.
Having quick access to complete, up to date and accurate information, puts us in the best position to help you. Your information will be kept confidential except when you consent to sharing your information or if we are legally permitted or required to disclose it, for example, you say you may hurt yourself or others, we receive a court order, or we suspect children need protection.
To proceed with enrollment and receiving housing services in Peel, we require your consent, your partner or spouse, and any household member aged 16 years or older.
You may request access to your personal information, that it be updated, corrected or withdraw your consent at any time by speaking with your Housing Services contact person.
Withdrawal of consent is not retroactive and may limit the housing-related services we are able to provide to you. For example, we cannot offer financial supports or include you on any lists for connection to housing and supports, without your consent. The date of your consent is always documented within your housing client record.
