Prior to changes in 2021 to the CIS program, the government was warned it would lead to more homelessness. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Housing barriers

Landlords Association says funding increase for social assistance clients not enough

May 2, 2024 | 5:13 PM

The CEO of the Saskatchewan Landlords Associations says a bump in pay for people living on social assistance, does not address the bigger problems at hand.

Cameron Chouette is responding to a change that took effect on May 1, and sees monthly income assistance benefits rise by three per cent for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) clients.

Noting slight increases to both the shelter benefit as well as the basic benefit, Choquette said they are both insufficient when you consider rental rates over the past year have climbed eight to 10 per cent.

“And the insufficiency of these benefits is just putting people further and further behind,” he said.

A change several years ago to the social assistance program meant landlords and utility providers were no longer getting paid directly, and was criticized by front line workers, who warned it would lead to more homelessness. The province’s mayors have also been outspoken on the subject.

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Citing statistics provided by their members, Choquette said that in June, 2020, 13-per-cent of tenants were in arrears. By Sept. 2021, the first month after the changes, 31-per-cent of CIS tenants paid zero dollars and another 18 per cent only paid a portion.

“So nearly half of CIS tenants, as soon as the program changed, were in arrears,” he said.

Noting all these numbers were shared at the time with the social services minister, Choquette acknowledged that in November of that year, the government moved to direct payments for high risk clients.

However of the course of the following 2.5 years, Choqette said there’s been consistent feedback from members that having direct payments to clients is a barrier that prevents social assistance clients from being successful in their tenancy. And a perceived financial risk, has created a shyness towards renting to people on social assistance.

“Because the benefits are so insufficient and they cant afford retral rates, but also if theres a history of non payment, it’s tremendously risky for the landlord to take them on as tenants,” Choquette said.

Noting how the fundamental goal is to help tenants in their homes and prevent evictions, Choquette is making three recommendations: increase rental rates to be closer to the actual average rent in Saskatchewan; re-instate the previous direct payment method; and third, increase earned income exemptions.

“So as social assistance clients transition to employment, even in a part time setting, they are not made worse off by dollar for dollar clawbacks by the Ministry of Social Services.”

This month’s budget announcement is worth $7.4 million and means households on income assistance receive an increase of up to $90 per month. This includes Adult Basic Benefit and Shelter Benefit increasing by up to $60 per household per month, and the Alternate Heating Benefit increasing by $30 per month.

SAID clients will see their benefits rise for the second year in a row. A $6.34 million investment will increase SAID monthly Living Income Benefits by up to $55 per household. SAID covers clients’ actual utility costs including alternate heating costs.

Also, effective May 1, SIS and SAID clients who are single or couples without dependent children will also benefit from increased earned income exemptions, enabling them to earn more from employment before their benefits are impacted.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell