Subsidized housing pressure for counties

The latest federal census results showed an increase in the number of people living in Prescott-Russell. That’s also putting a bit more pressure on the subsidized housing situation in the region.

The United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) council reviewed the latest statistical report from its social services department during the Feb. 22 regular session. UCPR Chief Administrator Stéphane Parisien noted that some of the information in the report shows greater demand for social housing aid from the counties.

“We’re now feeling some pressure for our waiting list,” Parisien said.

Last year, counties council approved recommendations for revisions to the housing subsidy program, to provide more financial assistance to low-income and fixed-income residents who are clients of the UCPR. But the revision also included a cap on the maximum amount of the subsidy assistance allocation in the UCPR operations budget.

While the UCPR is receiving more requests for subsidized housing space and assistance, Parisien told council that the cap must be maintained, “we could go out of control with our budget”.

Most of the assistance applications on the waiting list, Parisien noted, are from actual Prescott-Russell residents. But the UCPR is also getting applications to get on the waiting list from outside of the region, and even outside of the province.

“Due to our geographic location,” he said, “we’re getting people applying from Québec.”

Counties council voted to receive the social services report.