(Photo courtesy of © CanStockPhoto.com/Kzenon)(Photo courtesy of © CanStockPhoto.com/Kzenon)
Chatham

Rent supplement units needed in CK

Chatham-Kent Housing Services is putting out a call for private sector landlords to step up their civic duties by helping individuals in need of affordable housing.

Municipal officials are hoping to set up rent supplement agreements with private sector landlords in an effort to reduce the waiting list for social housing. The program allows people who can't afford monthly rent to pay a rent-geared-to-income portion of the fee to the landlord, while the municipality subsidizes the difference.

Kristen Williams, manager of tenant relations with the municipality, said the waitlist for social housing continues to grow, which shows a strong need within Chatham-Kent.

"When we look at the waitlist in 2016 it was sitting at 433, in 2018 at year end it was at 834, it's risen to 867 now," she said. "So we know that this is an increasing need. All of our efforts are focussed on affordable housing to get people housed but to also maintain their housing."

Williams said the program also works alongside an existing effort to combat chronic homelessness.

In terms of how the program would benefit a landlord, Williams said it provides a number of advantages, some of which will end up saving landlords' time and money.

"Being able to contribute to your community is always a great thing. We know that affordable housing is much needed in Chatham-Kent but from the landlord perspective, we do provide referrals from our waitlist and we do provide support as well," she said. "The cost of turnover is expensive for a landlord so if we can reduce that, we're not only reaching our goal which is to keep people housed and maintain their housing but also assisting landlords to keep people housed as well."

If the tenancy agreement is terminated, Williams said the housing department will work with the landlord to get the unit filled by someone else on the waitlist.

There are currently 115 rent supplement units within 18 buildings in Chatham, Wallaceburg, Ridgetown, Tilbury and Thamesville. However, about 16 more units are needed.

Private sector landlords who may be considering the program are encouraged to contact the municipality.

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