A little short on rent money?

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces an additional $42,937 to assist low income tenants in Sault Ste. Marie McGuinty government’s Rent Bank Program continues to assist single parents, seniors and vulnerable Ontarians to stay in their homes

SAULT STE. MARIE - The McGuinty government is helping tenants with short-term rent arrears by providing an additional $42,937 to the rent bank program in Sault Ste. Marie David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“Our government’s rent bank program helps ensure that low-income tenants with temporary financial problems will not be evicted from their homes,” said Orazietti. “By providing funding for this important program, we are increasing housing stability for more members of our community who are at risk of homelessness.”

Today’s announcement is part of over $5 million in funding distributed among rent banks across Ontario.

The provincial rent bank program promotes housing stability and assists tenants avoid eviction for non-payment of rent because short-term arrears is the most common reason tenants lose their homes and end up in shelters.

This initiative is in addition to the $198,967 in funding the McGuinty government has already provided to the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Board (DSSAB) for the rent bank program since 2004.

Tenants with lower incomes may apply to the Sault Ste. Marie rent bank to receive short-term financial assistance to address rent arrears.

If a tenant’s application to a rent bank 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.

To date, the rent bank program has assisted more than 248 low-income households in Sault Ste. Marie from being evicted due to a missed rent payment.

“Short-term arrears is the most common reason tenants with lower incomes lose their homes and are forced into shelters,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Jim Watson. “Our rent bank program has proven to be a great success in helping tenants to remain their homes.”

The McGuinty government will be developing a long-term strategy for affordable housing as part of its poverty reduction strategy.

The strategy will build on the broad range of programs and services that are already helping more Ontarians work, build and contribute to a stronger economy.

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