Shelter Allowance Program: Once Again This Year, More Low-Income Quebec Households Will be Eligible

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct. 1, 2014) - Effective today, the age of eligibility for the Shelter Allowance Program of the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) is now 51 years for singles and couples who meet the other program criteria. For the year 2014-2015, this represents an additional investment of $2.3 million, and the SHQ estimates that 3,400 more Quebec households will benefit from this measure. It should be noted that, each year since 2011, the age of eligibility for this program has been lowered by one year, and this will continue until the age of eligibility reaches 50 years next year.

As well, the maximum income to qualify has been raised to $24,989 for households with two or more people. This increase allows senior couples who receive the maximum amount for the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement to keep their shelter allowance.

More than 100,000 low-income households who spend too much of their income on housing will be able to receive, once again this year, an allowance helping them to pay their rent, thanks to the Shelter Allowance Program. For information purposes, from October 1, 2013, to September 1, 2014, more than $73 million was provided for the Shelter Allowance Program. Funding for this program, provided under the Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014, is cost-shared between the Government of Quebec, through the Société d'habitation du Québec, and the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

To benefit from the program

Low-income households with at least one dependent child, as well as singles aged 51 or older and couples with one spouse aged 51 or older must contact Revenu Québec at 18002676299, if they believe they are eligible for this program.

General information on the program is also available at www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html.

Shelter Allowance Program

Launched in 1997 by the SHQ and administered by Revenu Québec, the Shelter Allowance Program is intended for low-income households who are owners, renters or rooming house occupants. Financial assistance of up to $80 per month can be granted, depending on the household's size, income and housing costs.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 600,000 households living in existing social housing, on- and off-reserve. In Quebec, this represents some 126,350 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are helping Canadians to meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Each year, thanks to its various programs and many partners, the SHQ helps more than 230,000 Quebec households. To find out more about the programs and services offered by the SHQ, as well as its activities and achievements, or else to get advice on housing, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html and follow the SHQ on social networks: Facebook (SocietehabitationQuebec) and Twitter (HabitationSHQ).

CMHC Twitter: @CMHC_ca