McGuinty Government helps Tenants avoid eviction in the county of Huron- Mar. 6, 2007

Province Boosts Rent Bank Investment To Help Seniors And Vulnerable Ontarians
Avoid Losing Their Homes

Clinton: The McGuinty government is helping tenants with short‑term rent arrears by allocating $10,000 to the rent bank program in The County of Huron.

"Our Provincial Rent Bank Program has assisted thousands of tenants to avoid eviction and remain in their home," said Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron‑Bruce. "By increasing funding of this important program for the second year in a row, we're helping to ensure the housing stability of more tenants who are at risk of homelessness."

The $10,000 allocation to the County of Huron is part of over $4.8 million in funding distributed today among rent banks across Ontario.

The Provincial Rent Bank Program promotes housing stability by assisting tenants to avoid eviction for non‑payment of rent, as short‑term arrears is the most common reason tenants lose their homes and end up in shelters.

Tenants with lower incomes may apply to the County of Huron 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.

In 2004, the program began with an initial allocation of $10 million distributed among municipalities in Ontario. Since an additional investment of $4 million in March 2006, over 8,000 households have received assistance and avoided eviction.

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Contact:
Carol Mitchell, MPP
Huron-Bruce
519 482-5630