The provincial housing assistance program has been extended until the end of the year for those displaced by the evacuation in downtown Wheatley.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced on Friday that housing assistance for those under evacuation orders in Wheatley will be extended until December 31, 2022. The program was to end this month.
Under the program, applicants may receive up to $4,000 per month until December for additional rental housing costs while they're not able to live in their homes in Wheatley, to a maximum amount of $64,000 over the entire evacuation period.
April Rietdyk, Chatham Kent’s General Manager of Community Human Services, said the announcement is very welcome.
“The uncertainty of accommodations has understandably been a cause of great anxiety for residents,” said Rietdyk. “This program will provide some stability in terms of residents’ ability to have accommodation costs covered.”
Rietdyk said individuals participating in the program are being contacted by the province and she urged residents to continue working with local caseworkers who have been assisting with their claims.
The province said insurance payments received for repair or replacement of property will not be deducted from the additional housing assistance. However, insurance payments received for additional living expenses will continue to be deducted from the housing assistance. The other program parameters remain the same, according to the ministry.
The province said the housing assistance payments are being extended in case the evacuation continues longer than expected or some residents are delayed in returning home.
The ministry also said affected residents can continue to receive assistance for temporary housing after the evacuation order is lifted if their home needs repairs.
"We expect most people will need some time after the evacuation order is lifted to clean up, reconnect utilities and move home," said ministry officials. "If your home is damaged and is not habitable, you may be able to access coverage for additional living expenses under your insurance policy, while repairs are being completed."
Access to temporary housing assistance can also continue if an owner does not have insurance coverage and cannot return to live in their home after the evacuation order is lifted due to damage to the home, according to the ministry. However, any insurance payments received for additional living expenses will be deducted from temporary housing assistance payments.
The province also noted that homeowners do not need to report assistance money received on their 2021 income tax return because provincial disaster assistance payments are not taxable and the province does not issue tax slips for disaster financial assistance payments.
The source of multiple gas leaks at 15 Erie Street North has not been found yet and the investigation into what caused an explosion on August 26, 2021 continues. Three abandoned gas wells in the area are being analyzed and there is no timeline yet for the residents to permanently return to their homes.
