June 16, 2009
McGuinty Government Helps Residents Avoid Eviction
Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ontario is assisting low-income families who have missed a rent payment avoid eviction in Sault Ste. Marie.
Under the Provincial Rent Bank Program, a tenant who is facing eviction for non-payment of rent can apply to the 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.
This year, the province is providing $5 million to Rent Banks across the province, with $35,632 being allocated to Sault Ste. Marie.
As part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the province announced stabilized funding for the Rent Bank Program with a dedicated commitment of $5 million per year. The Poverty Reduction Strategy sets a hard target of reducing the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over five years – that’s 90,000 kids.
QUOTES
“Short-term arrears is the most common reason tenants with lower incomes lose their homes and are forced into shelters. This new funding for the rent bank in Sault Ste. Marie ensures we can continue to help low-income tenants avoid eviction for non-payment of rent due to an unforeseen crisis.”
Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“Today’s Rent Bank allocation will allow many vulnerable residents in Sault Ste. Marie to keep their homes when facing eviction due to a temporary financial setback resulting from an illness, a job loss or a family emergency.”
David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie.
QUICK FACTS
- The province established the Provincial Rent Bank Program in 2004. To date, the Program has helped more than 18,700 low income households avoid eviction due to a missed rent payment.
- By 2008, the province had invested $23.8 million in the Program.
- Typically, tenants can apply for financial assistance from a Rent Bank no more than once in two years, and receive maximum assistance of two months’ rental arrears.
- To date, the Rent Bank has helped 364 households avoid eviction in Sault Ste. Marie.
LEARN MORE
Adam Grachnik
Minister Watson’s Office
416-585-6492
Cindy Couillard
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
705-564-6808
ontario.ca/housing-news
