$700,000 Home Repair Program for Rainy River Announced

FORT FRANCES, Ontario, August 23, 2007 — Canada’s New Government, the Government of Ontario, and the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (RRDSSAB) today announced funding that will assist up to 30 low-income households to make urgently needed home repairs. The $700,000 program is funded under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development; the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board Chair Mike Lewis.

“Canada’s New Government is committed to supporting safe and affordable housing for lower income families,” said Minister Clement. “Through this investment we are making an important difference in the lives of families in the Rainy River District who are working towards building a stronger and better future for themselves.”

“The McGuinty government is committed to provide housing assistance to vulnerable people in northern Ontario,” said Minister Gerretsen. “The Northern Housing component of our Affordable Housing Program was established specifically to recognize the unique housing needs of communities in the north, and plays an important role in helping low income families to rehabilitate their homes.”

Eligible repairs include remediation of major structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, fire safety, septic and water system deficiencies. Modifications to accommodate people with disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps and lifts, are also eligible for funding under the program. Funding is limited to low-income households.

“This program demonstrates the RRDSSAB’s ongoing commitment to some of the most vulnerable people in our District, and will benefit many homeowners,” said Mike Lewis, RRDSSAB Chair. There are many seniors who could not make these essential repairs without the assistance available through this program. “

Qualified homeowners may receive grants or loans that earn forgiveness at eight per cent a year for the first 10 years, then two per cent a year for the final 10 years of the affordability period. The home must remain the principal and sole residence of the applicant for the entire 20-year period in order to earn complete forgiveness of the loan.

Applications are available at municipal offices and town halls in the Rainy River District or from the Métis Nation of Ontario Housing Branch, a third-party service provider who administers the program on RRDSSAB’s behalf (applicants do not need to be Métis). For further information, applicants should call 1-800-891-5882 (toll-free), or check www.rrdssab.on.ca.

Under the Northern Housing component of the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program, funding is used to rehabilitate, renovate or replace substandard housing which will help to preserve affordable housing for low-income households in Northern Ontario. Funds may also be available to encourage affordable rental housing development where appropriate.

The new Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for 20,000 households in Ontario.

Media contacts:

For more information visit: 

http://www.mah.gov.on.ca

www.rrdssab.on.ca