Low income Islanders with disabilities were once forced to line up every year to apply for government assistance for home repairs.
The P.E.I. home renovation programs operated on a first come, first served basis, which resulted in long lineups on application day. Anyone who couldn’t make it to the line early enough, was out of luck.
“We were seeing things like people lined up the night before, making it really challenging. Applications were coming in from all across the province making it hard to identify which ones actually came in first,” said Marcia Carroll from the P.E.I. Council of People with Disabilities.
Thanks to changes announced Wednesday by the province, the need for queuing up for help from these programs has been eliminated.
Applications have been streamlined and the first-come, first served rule has been removed.
“The people with the highest needs will be considered first for the program and that is the way we always felt it should be,” Carroll said.
The programs will provide assistance for Islanders to renovate their homes. Those with an income of $35,000 or less and whose property value is assessed at $145,000 or less are eligible. Applications will be prioritized based on income. Islanders who qualify can receive a lifetime grant up to $6,000 or $8,000 for a renovation required to accommodate a permanent disability.
The money has also been changed from forgivable loans into non-payable grants.
These changes will mean more than twice as many Islanders with disabilities will have access to money for home renovations, says Family and Human Services Minister Doug Currie.
Previously up to 75 families were approved annually for these programs. This year up to 175 families will be assisted.
“What we’re seeing here is a process that is more user-friendly, easier to apply,” Currie said.
Even Opposition Leader Jamie Fox applauded the changes.
But he noted P.E.I.'s aging population will further increase the need for fair, accessible support from these programs.
“Year after year demand for these programs has outstripped supply. I hope that along with making the programs more accessible, that government also properly funds the program so that the resources are there to meet the need from Islanders,” Fox said.
A total of $1.1 million has been earmarked for this portion of the renovation programs. In the spring, a second round of applications will be accepted.
Applications can be submitted beginning Oct. 28 until 5 p.m. Friday, Nov.13. Those who do not receive funding during this round and who still meet the requirements will not have to reapply for the second round of grants to be released in spring 2016.
Low income Islanders with disabilities were once forced to line up every year to apply for government assistance for home repairs.
The P.E.I. home renovation programs operated on a first come, first served basis, which resulted in long lineups on application day. Anyone who couldn’t make it to the line early enough, was out of luck.
“We were seeing things like people lined up the night before, making it really challenging. Applications were coming in from all across the province making it hard to identify which ones actually came in first,” said Marcia Carroll from the P.E.I. Council of People with Disabilities.
Thanks to changes announced Wednesday by the province, the need for queuing up for help from these programs has been eliminated.
Applications have been streamlined and the first-come, first served rule has been removed.
“The people with the highest needs will be considered first for the program and that is the way we always felt it should be,” Carroll said.
The programs will provide assistance for Islanders to renovate their homes. Those with an income of $35,000 or less and whose property value is assessed at $145,000 or less are eligible. Applications will be prioritized based on income. Islanders who qualify can receive a lifetime grant up to $6,000 or $8,000 for a renovation required to accommodate a permanent disability.
The money has also been changed from forgivable loans into non-payable grants.
These changes will mean more than twice as many Islanders with disabilities will have access to money for home renovations, says Family and Human Services Minister Doug Currie.
Previously up to 75 families were approved annually for these programs. This year up to 175 families will be assisted.
“What we’re seeing here is a process that is more user-friendly, easier to apply,” Currie said.
Even Opposition Leader Jamie Fox applauded the changes.
But he noted P.E.I.'s aging population will further increase the need for fair, accessible support from these programs.
“Year after year demand for these programs has outstripped supply. I hope that along with making the programs more accessible, that government also properly funds the program so that the resources are there to meet the need from Islanders,” Fox said.
A total of $1.1 million has been earmarked for this portion of the renovation programs. In the spring, a second round of applications will be accepted.
Applications can be submitted beginning Oct. 28 until 5 p.m. Friday, Nov.13. Those who do not receive funding during this round and who still meet the requirements will not have to reapply for the second round of grants to be released in spring 2016.
