Greens pursue shelter allowances

Green Party MLAs continued questioning the province’s minister of family and human services during question period on Tuesday about the discrepancy between social assistance shelter rates and the cost of housing on P.E.I.

Last week, Charlottetown Parkdale MLA Hannah Bell had asked Mundy about the timeline for increasing the province’s shelter rates to the market price of rental housing in Charlottetown. On Tuesday, it was Peter BevanBaker who asked Mundy about the discrepancy between the social assistance rates and the cost of housing.

The Green leader began by praising the recent six per cent increases to shelter rates announced by Mundy in early November.

Then he asked the minister what the shelter rate for a family of four would be.

Mundy responded by suggesting P.E.I.’s social assistance shelter rates were higher than those of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Bevan-Baker then answered his own question, noting the shelter rate for a family of four was $933.

He also pointed out the average rent for a three-bedroom apartment was $1,250.

“Do you think the shelter rate for a family of four on social assistance is sufficient,” BevanBaker asked Mundy.

“We do admit there are housing challenges right now, Mr. Speaker. That’s why we have been working hard to implement the first ever housing action plan Prince Edward Island has ever seen,” Mundy said, adding the province has been offering rent supplements to Islanders.

Mundy said these supplements are being extended to individuals on social assistance.

“We are working with them on a case-by-case, Mr. Speaker, initiative to make sure we are meeting their needs, Mr. Speaker, and that they are not incurring any additional expenses,” Mundy said.

Bell then asked Mundy how many individuals have applied for rent subsidies and what the average wait times were for getting a unit.

Mundy responded that there was no average wait time.

“We deal with clients as they come in the door, as the greatest need,” Mundy said.

Bell then answered her own question, saying there are over 1,300 applicants for the rent subsidy.

The province has given out 490 supplements so far this year.

“Minister, how do you determine who gets a subsidy and what do you say to the people that don’t,” Bell asked.

Mundy responded that most people on the waiting list for the rental subsidy have homes.

“Not everyone on that applicant list is ready to move. We have offered subsidies to people who are ready to move and they say, ‘you know what, skip over me and go on to the next people.’ We have been drilling down into our applicant list, Mr. Speaker, and we have come up with a figure that one per cent of that applicant list are actually people in dire need,” Mundy said.

“We continue to act to make sure that most in need, Mr. Speaker, are getting the services and supports that they need.”