The Housing Outreach Program was developed to assist individuals and families who may be evicted or have their utilities or heat service terminated due to emergency, unforeseen or extenuating circumstances. 

 

This program offers a one time assistance loan, to a maximum of $1000, and includes an agreement to repay.  Each application is examined individually by reviewing the individual circumstances, cost of arrears, reason for arrears, plans to prevent re-occurrence, and plans for re-payment.

 

Referrals will be accepted from community agencies, churches, and self-referrals.  Eligibility will be based on applicants with circumstances beyond their control, such as unexpected illness, exhausted funds due to payment of unforeseen bills, or loss of employment.   Applications will be processed within three days, and clients will be notified of the decision.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (not all inclusive):

- must have exhausted all other resources

- must be residence on Prince-Edward or Lennox & Addington Counties

- pending threat of eviction due to non payment of rent 

- must not be more than 2 months in arrears

- pending termination of utilities or fuel

- Rent/income ratio must be 75% or less including utilities & fuel

- must commit to repayment of the loan

 

A written application is required and will include:

- personal and financial information

- list of each household member

- description of housing and housing related costs

- list of all other debts, leases and loans

- reason for making application

 

Along with the application an applicant must provide the following:

- Invoice/notice of debt for the amount of the debt

- a signed release of information form

- verification of all income and expenses for the previous 3 months

 

Financial assistance, will be paid directly to the third party involved.

 

REPAYMENT PLAN

- repayment will be a minimum of 5% of household’s gross monthly income.

- clients must be prepared to sign a contract outlining the terms of repayment

- clients not in receipt of Social Assistance will provide post-dated cheques or make other financial arrangements agreeable to the housing program

Clients must contact the housing program should their financial situation change and keep the office updated with any address change.

Clients who do not make three consecutive payments, and who do not attempt to make alternate repayment arrangements, will have their loan forwarded to a collection agency for recoupment.

 

APPEAL PROCESS

- Requests for appeals must be submitted in writing within ten days.

- Appeals will be reviewed by the three member appeals committee.

- Each case will be reviewed with all identifying information removed from the application.

- A decision will be made within three business days.