Peggy Revell
What the recent $1.2 billion funding announcement from the provincial and federal governments for social housing means for the district was the big topic at last Thursday’s meeting of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
Under the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program (SHRRP), the DSSAB was allocated a total of $585,988 for 2009-10, followed by $721,860 for 2010-11, noted housing manager Dianne Lampi.
With this SHRRP funding now in sight, the DSSAB approved the “Aging at Home” proposal at the meeting—a pilot project for the district that will begin with renovations to Riverview Manor in Rainy River.
At an estimated cost of $432,000, this new project is aiming to help seniors remain living within their homes for a longer time and “avoid early admissions to long-term care facilities.”
For Riverview Manor, this includes renovations to convert one unit and the common room to allow for modified access, the installation of an elevator, and converting three of the one-bedroom units into two two-bedroom caregiver units, Lampi explained.
Meanwhile, all the units will be enhanced with high-rise toilets, walk-in showers, lever door handles, grab bars, and other changes, making them “more senior friendly,” she added.
Lampi said the pilot project also hopes to integrate various services under the one roof, collaborating with local organizations to make these services more efficient and effective, and “like one-stop
shopping.”
Funding under the SHRRP also means money towards capital projects for both the DSSAB’s public housing portfolio and non-profit housing providers in the district.
“A letter was sent out to providers months back to get costs and projects that they would need to have completed on their buildings in the health and safety areas, as well as accessibility and energy-efficiency,” she noted.
With a two year take-up plan due to the ministry by Sept. 30, the possible “shovel ready” projects included balcony repairs, reconstruction and replacement of concrete entranceways and connecting sidewalks, window replacement, intercom systems, automatic door-openers, roof repairs, and energy-efficient appliances.
Besides the SHRRP funding, an extension to the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) also was announced, which Lampi said the local DSSAB has participated in through the Northern Home Repair Program.
Under this program, qualified residents are assisted through loans/grants so they continue living in their homes.
“The program itself provides financial assistance to repair or rehabilitate to a minimum level of health and safety, including features that increase accessibility and address mobility concerns,” Lampi explained.
“Eligible repairs are those that are required to correct a deficiency in one or more of the following categories: electrical, plumbing, heating, fire safety, septic systems, well water, improve accessibility, and safety-related features.”
The funding coming down from the governments also will be on a “use it or lose it” basis, Lampi told the board, explaining that money which is unused by the required timeline cannot be carried over—and may be reallocated elsewhere.
This means all of the first year’s SHRRP allocation of $585,000 would have to be spent by March 31, 2010, she said.
“They will say, ‘Use it or lose it,’ so that’s why we’re doing our best to collate what we can get in as soon as possible so we can have the monies allocated, approved, and stimulate the economy,” she remarked, adding one of the difficulties of this is a construction season that lasts only from May to September/October.
But despite this difficulty, Lampi stressed the funding is “all positive” and a “great thing for our community.”
And with funding already on its way, Lampi told the board of even more provincial funding possibly to come—this time for renewable energy projects for social housing.
Lampi said an earlier meeting with the ministry had indicated the province was moving to invest roughly $70 million across Ontario in this area.
The local DSSAB received a request for expressions of interest for renewable energy projects on July 9, requiring a response by July 15.
DSSAB staff, with help from various local businesses to figure out “ballpark figures” of the cost of possible projects, were able to put together a response, Lampi noted, although they expect the province to send it back for further detail, review, and revision.
“That being said, I kind of reached for the sky and asked for approximately $2,295,000,” Lampi said. “So asking for $2 million, maybe we’ll get $500,000.
“I’m not quite sure exactly how it will all roll out,” she admitted.
