Rental Opportunity for Ontario Families
McGuinty Government Helping Working Families With Housing Costs Launches $185-Million Housing Allowance Program
TORONTO, Aug. 10 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is launching aninnovative housing program that will provide a monthly housing allowance to low-income working families struggling with housing affordability in Ontario, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen announced today.
"Many of these families will be newly-arrived in Ontario, struggling to make their way forward in our province, and we want to offer them a helping hand," said Gerretsen. "This initiative builds on our successful affordable housing strategy aimed at ensuring every Ontario family has a safe, healthy, affordable place to call home." The $185-million Rental Opportunity for Ontario Families, known as ROOF, will provide a housing allowance of up to $100 per month to more than 27,000 low-income working families in the province, starting in January 2008. Eligible families must have at least one child under the age of 18, have an Adjusted Family Income below $20,000 per year, and pay more than 30 per cent of their income on rent. Families must not be receiving rent subsidy or social assistance.
"Housing allowances are an effective way to help lower-income families with housing affordability," said Mike Chopowick, Manager of Policy for the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario. "We commend the government for taking this important first step." "ROOF will go a long way in helping working families who are not receiving social assistance and who are struggling to raise their children with a limited budget," said Gladys Wong, Executive Director of Neighbourhood Information Post, the lead agency for Toronto's Rent Bank. "This is a positive step forward by the McGuinty Government." Families can obtain an application form for the ROOF program by calling toll-free 1-888-544-5101, TTY line 1-800-263-7776, or by signing up online at www.ontario.ca/ROOF.
"ROOF takes an innovative new approach to providing housing assistance to low-income working families struggling to find affordable housing," said Gerretsen. "This program will make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of households that will directly benefit from receiving an extra $100 per month. "
For more information, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca
For further information: Patti Munce, Minister''s Office, (416) 585-6333;
Susan Bacque, Housing Program Branch, (416) 585-7021
