April 13, 2004
PRESS RELEASE
Provincial Rent Bank Program
Have you ever had to choose between paying your rent or buying groceries to feed your family?
The McGuinty government has unveiled a program to respond to this situation. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen announced the Provincial Rent Bank program on March 29, 2004. “This is an important step in keeping families in crisis off the streets and in their own homes.” Says Mario Sergio M.P.P. for York West.
The Provincial Rent Bank program promotes housing stability for low-income people who, due to an unforeseen crisis, are in short-term rent arrears. A rent bank is a short-term funding tool where low-income tenants may receive the financial assistance they need to deal with a crisis. Once a tenant’s application is approved, the outstanding rent is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.
Rent banks are not new to Ontario. Currently about 25 are operating across the province, either through municipalities or community agencies. What is new is $10 million in additional funding that the government is committing to rent banks. Overall funding for rent banks will increase ten-fold due to the new provincial contribution.
The strength of Ontario depends on the strength of our communities. For low-income tenants, loss of stable housing is a constant threat. Short-term rent arrears are the most common reason tenants lose their apartments and end up in shelters. A job lay-off, marital breakdown, illness or other such crisis can result in a missed rent cheque and an eviction notice. Once stable housing is lost, starting over is difficult. Coming up with first and last months’ rent can be impossible for people with low incomes.
"This means a great deal to the families we serve. The Provincial Rent Bank program will ensure the housing stability of low-income tenants who are at risk of homelessness," said Brian Smith, president of WoodGreen Community Centre, a Toronto agency that operates a rent bank on behalf of the city.
"Low-income tenants in York West will benefit greatly from this program. If we can strengthen the safety net and allow people to remain in their homes, our entire community will benefit," said local MPP Mario Sergio.
The Provincial Rent Bank program will help thousands of households to avoid eviction. With up to two months’ rent arrears paid on their behalf, those families – many with small children – may be able to remain in their homes, instead of having to turn to homeless shelters.
In order to ensure that municipalities have the flexibility to administer rent banks that meet local community needs, the government is only putting a few restrictions on how they will operate: funding may be accessed once in two years, for payment of up to two months’ rent arrears only.
Communities cannot thrive unless they meet the basic needs of their citizens – including a place to live, together, the province and Ontario municipalities can deliver the changes to strengthen our communities and make a real difference to Ontarians’ quality of life.
For more information on rent banks in York West contact the City of Toronto, Social Housing Branch.
PRESS RELEASE
Provincial Rent Bank Program
Have you ever had to choose between paying your rent or buying groceries to feed your family?
The McGuinty government has unveiled a program to respond to this situation. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen announced the Provincial Rent Bank program on March 29, 2004. “This is an important step in keeping families in crisis off the streets and in their own homes.” Says Mario Sergio M.P.P. for York West.
The Provincial Rent Bank program promotes housing stability for low-income people who, due to an unforeseen crisis, are in short-term rent arrears. A rent bank is a short-term funding tool where low-income tenants may receive the financial assistance they need to deal with a crisis. Once a tenant’s application is approved, the outstanding rent is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.
Rent banks are not new to Ontario. Currently about 25 are operating across the province, either through municipalities or community agencies. What is new is $10 million in additional funding that the government is committing to rent banks. Overall funding for rent banks will increase ten-fold due to the new provincial contribution.
The strength of Ontario depends on the strength of our communities. For low-income tenants, loss of stable housing is a constant threat. Short-term rent arrears are the most common reason tenants lose their apartments and end up in shelters. A job lay-off, marital breakdown, illness or other such crisis can result in a missed rent cheque and an eviction notice. Once stable housing is lost, starting over is difficult. Coming up with first and last months’ rent can be impossible for people with low incomes.
"This means a great deal to the families we serve. The Provincial Rent Bank program will ensure the housing stability of low-income tenants who are at risk of homelessness," said Brian Smith, president of WoodGreen Community Centre, a Toronto agency that operates a rent bank on behalf of the city.
"Low-income tenants in York West will benefit greatly from this program. If we can strengthen the safety net and allow people to remain in their homes, our entire community will benefit," said local MPP Mario Sergio.
The Provincial Rent Bank program will help thousands of households to avoid eviction. With up to two months’ rent arrears paid on their behalf, those families – many with small children – may be able to remain in their homes, instead of having to turn to homeless shelters.
In order to ensure that municipalities have the flexibility to administer rent banks that meet local community needs, the government is only putting a few restrictions on how they will operate: funding may be accessed once in two years, for payment of up to two months’ rent arrears only.
Communities cannot thrive unless they meet the basic needs of their citizens – including a place to live, together, the province and Ontario municipalities can deliver the changes to strengthen our communities and make a real difference to Ontarians’ quality of life.
For more information on rent banks in York West contact the City of Toronto, Social Housing Branch.
