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Home / Resources / Toolkits
Prosper Canada Apr 2024
Managing in tough times

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This toolkit contains resources and information which may offer support to organizations, agencies, or frontline staff supporting individuals, during a challenging time.

This toolkit was developed in consultation with community partners, focusing on key issues facing their communities since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have a resource or would like to submit tips to be included in a future addition, please write to: [email protected].

Update on April 10, 2024: How to Increase Credit Score: Proven Steps to Success (Credit Canada)

Update on March 21, 2024: Newcomer Information Centre Online (Achēv)

Update on February 23, 2024: Ontario Renters' guide , How to negotiate a repayment plan with your landlord , An infographic that explains when rent increases are legal, A guide that explains when landlords can apply for an above guideline rent increase (AGI), how to prepare for a hearing to fight an AGI, and what happens after the hearing Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) 

Resources and Tools

Budgeting resources
Five different budgeting methods – Prosper Canada
Cash flow budget template – PDF – Prosper Canada
Cash flow budget template – fillable PDF – Prosper Canada
Simple budget template – PDF – Prosper Canada
Simple budget template – fillable PDF – Prosper Canada
Ten ways to trim expenses – Prosper Canada
Ways to save at the grocery store – Prosper Canada
5 budgeting app ideas – Prosper Canada

Tracking spending/bills
Expenses tracking sheet – PDF – Prosper Canada
Expenses tracking sheet – fillable PDF – Prosper Canada
Tracking fluctuating expenses – Prosper Canada
Prioritizing Bills tool – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Spending tracker tool – CFPB
Cutting expenses tool – CFPB

Online budgeting tools
Budget Planner (free) – Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
Budget Calculator Spreadsheet (downloadable Excel sheet) – MyMoneyCoach.ca
Spending Habits Calculator – GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca
Personal Budgeting Course (no cost) – Momentum

Action planning

Steps to debt repayment – Prosper Canada
Determining debt payoff order – Prosper Canada
Dealing with debt– Prosper Canada
Making a plan to be debt free– Government of Canada
The 4 cornerstones of debt reduction strategies & budgeting– Credit Counselling Society
Getting out of debt– Credit Counselling Society
Information for consumers on the insolvency process– Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (available in multiple languages)

More resources
Options you can trust to help with your debt – Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy
1:1 debt counselling – Credit Counselling Canada
Sample letters to creditors – Credit Counselling Society
Ways to build or rebuild credit and manage debt course (no cost) – Momentum 
How to improve your credit score: proven steps to success – Credit Canada

Listing of agencies across Canada that may be able to help – The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness
211 – United Way Canada
Subsidized housing in ON – Ontario Non-profit Housing Association

Benefits for housing 
Housing benefits – Government of Canada
Benefits wayfinder – Prosper Canada
Factsheet: Housing insecure individuals – Government of Canada

Resources for renters
Your rights when being evicted for renovations – Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
Resources for renters facing eviction – Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation 
Moving checklist – Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
Ontario Renters’ guide – Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) 
How to negotiate a repayment plan with your landlord – Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
Know your rights: eviction prevention – Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
Know your rights: rental housing basics – Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
Know your rights: record keeping for tenants – Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
Rent-Geared-to-Income Subsidy – City of Toronto
An infographic that explains when rent increases are legal – CLEO
A guide that explains when landlords can apply for an above guideline rent increase (AGI), how to prepare for a hearing to fight an AGI, and what happens after the hearing – CLEO

Resources for specific groups
Housing options for seniors – Government of Canada
Toolkit for medical professionals in ON writing disability accommodation letters – Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
Friendship Centres for Indigenous people – National Association of Friendship Centres
Support services for victims of abuse – New Brunswick Government 
Housing for youth – 360º (York Region)  
Support for young mothers– Albion Centre (Toronto) 
Newcomer Information Centre Online– Achēv

Shelters
Housing and shelters – Salvation Army (Canada)
Disaster relief help – Canadian Red Cross (Canada)
Emergency and short-term housing in Ontario – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (Ontario)
For women facing domestic abuse – Shelter Safe (Canada)
Survivors of domestic violence – CAMH (Toronto)
Shelters – CAMH (Toronto)
Shelters for youth – Rest Centres (Peel Region) 

Access to food
Find a food bank – Food Banks Canada
Meals on wheels – Ontario Community Support Association 
211 – United Way Canada
Drop-in meal resource list for Toronto – Toronto Drop-in Network
Food exchange – Quest Vancouver
Good food organizations – Community Food Centres Canada
Akwe:go – Wasa-Nabin Student Nutrition Program – Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres 
Friendship Centres for Indigenous people – Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres 

Understanding food insecurity 
Tool for older adults: rate your eating habits! – Older Adult Nutrition Screening
Poverty Screening (Food Insecurity) – Canadian Nutrition Society

Author: Prosper Canada
Topic: Financial well-being
Publisher: Prosper Canada
Content Type: Prosper Canada Toolkits
Publication Date: April 27, 2024
Related Tags
Financial tools to use with clientsBudgetingCredit counsellingDebtDebt managementFood banksFood insecurityHomelessnessHousehold debtHousingHousing assistanceRental housingShelters