Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement to stop taking applicants July 1

The Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement (SRHS) will stop taking new applicants as of July 1, 2018.

The announcement, part of Saskatchewan’s 2018-19 budget, is to make way for a new National Housing Strategy being co-developed by Ottawa and the provinces.

SRHS clients enrolled in the program as of June 30, 2018 will continue to receive benefits as long as they remain eligible. The province said they are making the announcement now to give people time to apply.

Anyone who applies for SRHS funding before June 30, and meets eligibility requirements, will receive SRHS benefits.

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One benefit helps low-to-moderate income families with children under the age of 18 to access affordable rental housing. The second provides benefits for those with cognitive or physical disabilities and need supports in their household.

Benefits range from $61 to $364 per month.

The province say it will work through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to collaborate with national partners in developing the National Housing Strategy.

The National Housing Strategy is expected to include a Canada Housing Benefit in 2020.

The province has invested $330 million into SRHS since it was introduced in 2005 when the vacancy rate was 4.5 per cent.

The changes are expected to save the SRHS $5-million this year.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) said Saskatchewan had the lowest average rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $1,051 per month in 2017, along with the highest vacancy rate, 8.9 per cent.

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While new applications for SRHS are winding down, Social Services said the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation has social housing units available.

The ministry is encouraging anyone impacted by SRHS changes to apply, as they may be eligible for a unit.