Manitobans throughout the province with mental-health issues now have access to a rent supplement that will support them in their search to find and keep appropriate housing, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced.
“I’m pleased to announce that Budget 2010 expands the Portable Housing Benefit to Manitobans with mental-health issues in all regions of the province. This expansion reflects our government’s commitment to the housing first principle, which recognizes housing as an essential component on the road to healthy living,” said Irvin-Ross.
“The Portable Housing Benefit will increase the housing options for individuals living with mental illness and enable mental-health service providers to increase their capacity to provide supported housing services that will assist in their recovery,” said Kim Canvin, regional director of the Canadian Mental Health Association – Interlake Region. “The benefit will provide access to better quality, affordable housing in Selkirk and other areas in rural Interlake for people living in difficult situations.”
The Portable Housing Benefit provides a rent supplement of up to $200 per month to low-income individuals who require assistance in finding accommodations.
The benefit is accompanied by services to support and assure a stable tenancy. Recipients will be required to accept these supports from an identified mental-health service provider in order to maximize the success of their tenancy.
To be eligible, participants must have an unstable housing situation that is interfering with their recovery and participation in community life, the minister said. The benefit is expected to provide eligible participants with improved access to the private rental market, she added.
A portable rent supplement is used by many jurisdictions as a means to access housing and support a stable tenancy for individuals with mental-health issues and is regarded as a developing best practice, Irvin-Ross said.
