Ontario is assisting low-income families who have missed a rent payment avoid eviction in Windsor and Essex County.

Under the provincial Rent Bank program, a tenant who is facing eviction for non-payment of rent can apply to the local rent bank to receive financial assistance. If a tenant’s application is approved, the outstanding rent is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.

This year, the province is providing $5 million to rent banks across the province, with $146,816 being allocated to Windsor-Essex.

As part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the province announced stabilized funding for the Rent Bank program with a dedicated commitment of $5 million per year. The Poverty Reduction strategy sets a hard target of reducing the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years – that’s 90,000 kids.

QUOTES

“Short-term arrears is the most common reason tenants with lower incomes lose their homes and are forced into shelters,” said Bruce Crozier, MPP for Essex. “This new funding for the rent bank in Windsor and Essex County ensures we can continue to help low-income tenants avoid eviction for non-payment of rent due to an unforeseen crisis.”

"Windsor's Rent Bank program provides temporary but vital assistance to those in need - giving families the comfort of knowing that their homes are secure during tough times," said Sandra Pupatello, MPP for Windsor West. "Our government supports this initiative as part of our overall poverty reduction plan.”

“This funding will help many Windsor families who have faced job loss or tough financial situations remain in their homes,” said Dwight Duncan, MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh. “Provincial rent-bank funding has prevented more than 15,500 evictions across Ontario since 2004. I was proud to include in our 2009 Budget more than $5 million annually, to ensure stable funding for municipal rent banks here in Windsor and across Ontario.”

QUICK FACTS

·The province established the Provincial Rent Bank Program in 2004. To date, the program has prevented more than 18,700 low-income households from being evicted due to a missed rent payment.

·By 2008, the province had invested $23.8 million in the program.

·Typically, tenants can apply for financial assistance from a rent bank no more than once in two years, and receive maximum assistance of two months’ rental arrears.

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For more information:

Darcie RenaudLeigh-Ann Popek  

Office of Bruce Crozier Office of Hon. Sandra Pupatello

(519) 776-6420 (416) 325-0362

Alicia Johnston 

Office of Hon. Dwight Duncan

(416) 325-3645