Housing Programs
Investment in Affordable Housing Program for Bruce County
Bruce County has received funding from the federal and provincial governments for the Investment in Affordable Housing Program of $1.8 million dollars for 3 years ending March 2015.
Applications are NOW being accepted for Funding 2012 – 2013 to meet the housing needs in our communities in the following areas:
Home Repair Program
Is designed to target renovation and rehabilitation projects to address homeowner needs. Repairs may include: insulation, roofs, electrical systems, plumbing and energy efficiency and other related home upgrades.
For further details on this program download the Home Repair guidelines and application in the "Downloads / Files" section (right hand sidebar).
Homeownership Program
Is a down payment assistance of 5% loans available to those with an annual income of $57,732 or less wanting to purchase a home valued less than $214,200 in Bruce County. The assistance is in the form of a forgivable loan when owned for at least 20 years.
For further details on this program download the application in "Downloads / Files" section (right hand sidebar).
Rent Supplement Program
Is subsidized rental units with participating private landlords throughout the County for a period of up to 3 years.
Rental Housing Program
Includes 10 new affordable units in Kincardine and Port Elgin. Construction will begin in 2012 in Port Elgin and 2013 in Kincardine
More details can be obtained by calling Susan Earle at 519-396-3450 X106 or searle@brucecounty.on.ca or Millie Hetsler at 519-396-3450 X107 or mhetsler@brucecounty.on.ca
Bruce County Housing Corporation
Bruce County Housing Corporation (BCHC) was created in January 2001. BCHC is an amalgamation of Bruce County Non-Profit Corporation that was created by the County of Bruce in 1982 and Bruce County Housing Authority that was incorporated in 1976 and transferred from the Province to the County on January 1, 2001.
We provide housing to families, seniors, couples, single people and people with special needs in a variety of housing forms including townhouses, apartments, single and semi-detached dwellings. Most of the housing is available on a rent-geared-to-income basis, however some projects offer market rent units. We currently own and manage 605 units throughout Bruce County. We also administer the Rent Supplement Program which provides subsidy for approximately 50 units in privately owned buildings. Tenants for these units are selected from the Bruce County Community Housing Registry waiting list and pay the landlord based on their income. BCHC pays the difference between the tenant's portion and the full market rent for the unit.
How much will I pay?
If you qualify for a subsidized unit the rent is based on 30% of your gross monthly income. Market rent units are also available in most locations.
Rent-Geared-To-Income
Rent is calculated based on 30% of the gross household income to a maximum of the established "market rent" for the unit in the development in which you will reside. Rent for those persons in receipt of social assistance from Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support is in accordance with a scale established in the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, Ontario Regulation 298/01 and may be changed periodically.
Market Rent Value
Some market rent units are available in Bruce County Housing Corporation buildings as well as the private non-profit housing developments. The rent is similar to the private sector rental properties. Applications for market rent units must be made directly with the applicable housing provider. A listing of the market rents for each municipality is available under the report section "Market Rents".
Affordable Rent
The affordable rent is set at a rate below the average market rent for Bruce County (approximately 80% of the average market rent). Tenants must meet the eligibility criteria of the program at the time of move in based on the unit bedroom size. The affordable rent of each tenant will be increased annually by the rate approved by the Bruce County Housing Corporation Board as per the allowable rent increase guidelines.
Links:
South West Community Care Access Centre www.ccac-ont.ca
VON Grey-Bruce www.von.ca
