Welcome again to UPDATE, the e-newsletter of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Each edition keeps you informed of news in the municipal and housing sectors.
Our government is helping more low-income renters to stay in their homes by investing an additional $5 million in our Provincial Rent Bank Program.
Rent banks have been very successful in helping low-income tenants avoid eviction for missing a rent payment.
The program is simple and effective: Tenants who are facing possible eviction may apply to their local rent bank to receive financial assistance. If a tenant’s application is approved, the outstanding rent is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.
Tenants can apply for financial assistance from a Rent Bank no more than once in two years, and receive maximum assistance for two months’ rental arrears.
The results have been excellent: Since launching the Rent Bank Program in 2004, we’ve prevented more than 13,200 low-income households from being evicted due to a missed rent payment.
This May issue of UPDATE has an article on another of our housing initiatives, the Northern Home Repair Program. I met with several homeowners in Thunder Bay recently to learn more about the success of this popular program.
Our government created the Northern Home Repair Program to meet the unique needs of Ontario’s Northern communities. It was most enlightening to see firsthand how northern communities with our help are facing the particular challenges of delivering affordable housing.
You will find an article in this issue of UPDATE on the recent presentation of four Long-standing Service Awards in Sault Ste. Marie. These awards were established in 2004 to mark the dedication of elected municipal officials with at least 25 years of service.
I encourage you to provide us with your feedback. If this issue of UPDATE has been forwarded to you and you would like to continue receiving our e-newsletter, please take the time to subscribe.
Jim Watson
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Back to UPDATE - May 2008