Housing Programs
Investment in Affordable Housing Fund
Recently approved by the County of Bruce on December 15, 2011, the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) Fund of 1.8 million will assist Bruce County in meeting its goals of our Long Term Housing Strategy to create 445 affordable housing units by 2020.
This new initiative offers a variety of program components aimed at addressing these needs.
Starting April 1, 2012 this funding allocation will be used to meet the housing needs in our communities in the following areas:
1) Rental Housing – Funding for two local developers to develop and construct a total of 10 new affordable units in Kincardine and Saugeen Shores. Construction will begin in 2012 in Port Elgin and 2013 in Kincardine.
2) Homeownership - Down payment assistance of 5% for low and moderate income households wanting to purchase a home in Bruce County. The assistance is in the form of a forgivable loan when owned for at least 20 years.
3) Rent Supplement – subsidized rental units with private landlords throughout the County for a period of up to 3 years
4) Ontario Renovates – initiative to improve the living conditions of households to improve their homes through financial assistance to repair deficiencies for seniors or persons with disabilities. Eg. Ramps, bathroom renovations.
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
