The Government of Quebec brings an improvement to its programme of rent allowances for apartments for low-income families, beginning on the 1st of October 2008. The announcement has been made by Nathalie Normandeau, the Deputy Prime Minister of Quebec and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions.
This is what she said : « The modifications that we bring to the programme and which were promulgated on the 1st of October will allow us to better take into account household needs. According to our estimates we will thus be able to ameliorate the situation of approximately 23 000 households benefiting from the programme and reach about 5 100 additional families. These beneficiaries will receive an increased allocation representing additional costs in the order of 3,5 M $ during 2008-2009, and 5,3 M $ during 2009-2010 ».
The Minister has explained that in the last few years one has noticed a decreasing number of beneficiaries making use of the programme. This decrease can be explained by the fact that the parameters of the programme have remained unchanged since 1999, whereas incomes and rents have continued to grow. One had to become more in line with reality and increase aid to the programme.
Let us remember that the programme Rent allowance for apartments has been promulgated in 1997 and run by Revenue Quebec. The programme provides direct financial support, for housing expenses, to low-income households, to landlords, tenants or room dwellers. To be admissible these households must have at least one child at charge or contain at least one person aged 55 years or more. The amount of money given depends on the size of the household, on its revenue as well as on its rent and may not exceed 960 $ per year or 80 $ per month.