Residents displaced by a summer explosion in Wheatley say there is a concern that financial assistance will end before they can go back home.
During a virtual community meeting Saturday, several residents directed their attention to the Wheatley Resident Assistance Program, which is set to expire on March 31.
According to Helen Collins, who is the Municipal Services Director for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing, the program has both a lump sum and a housing assistance component.
The lump-sum is available to all evacuated households, which she said almost all households have received. The additional housing component is intended for those who don't have insurance.
"We [also] recognized that some households that have limited or no insurance coverage would need additional assistance because of the high cost of temporary housing or potentially to move to new housing,” said Collins.
Noting that the program is set to expire in March, Collins said the program was set up under the impression that residents would have been able to return home before it ended.
"Now that we're learning that this isn't the case, I do want to let you know that we recognize there may be a need to look at the program timeline," said Collins. "We're committed to continuing working with the municipality to ensure that all residents receive all the payments that they are eligible for under the program."
During the discussion period, Collins was asked how long it would take for the province to extend the funding. She couldn't provide a specific date but did say the province would look into making the needed adjustments.
Residents also asked why the process to apply for the funding was so complicated and why some people did not receive full compensation for paying rent.
Collins followed up by saying the province has worked closely with the municipality to ensure residents get all of the assistance they are eligible for.
"If you are having difficulties with the process, please reach out to the Chatham-Kent caseworkers," said Collins. "We're committed to being as flexible as possible in terms of the documentation, but there is certain information and documents that we need to calculate the payment that you're eligible for."
Under the program guidelines, Collins said if you have a homeowner or tenant insurance policy, a claim must be submitted to the insurer, first.
“Any insurance payments you receive are deducted from the payment you get under the additional housing component,” said Collins.
She said the purpose is to protect taxpayers, adding that if someone is paying a mortgage, they too are eligible for assistance for any rent they are paying for temporary housing if it is more than what their insurance funds.
"Individual situations are going to vary, but we did have cases where people were not eligible at first or they received a small payment because their insurance settlement was subtracted," said Collins. "Now they are eligible going forward."
If residents need further assistance, General Manager of Community Human Services April Rietdyk suggested they call 311 and ask to be connected to a case manager.
“We will not allow residents to be without accommodations, we will not allow them to be without basic needs."
