DSSAB calling Northern Home Repair component a success

District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
News Release

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Rural residents of Nipissing District took full advantage of the joint Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program—Northern Home Repair component, administered and delivered by the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB). The program saw more than $1.7 million in repairs and upgrades made to approximately 100 homes to ensure liveability for years to come.

“The program provides homeowners with financial assistance to install new windows or heating systems, make modifications for accessibility, update plumbing, electrical and septic systems or repair structural deficiencies or re-shingle their homes,” explains George Maroosis, DNSSAB Chair. “This program has filled a need within our district; in fact, we already have a waiting list of applicants should this important program be funded again.”

The Northern Home Repair component of the Affordable Housing Program was established in 2006 to encourage the repair of housing in danger of being lost from the housing stock in Northern Ontario and to assist low-income homeowners to repair existing residences. In the District of Nipissing, serviced by DNSSAB, over 191 applicants applied for the program with 98 projects expected to be completed by October 2011.

“The Northern Home Repair component has been a tremendous success for the district,” says Tom Belanger, Manager of Community Housing for DNSSAB. “It exceeded the targets set by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and more importantly, the participants have been extremely happy with the results. Many of them have been able to stay in their own homes as a result.”

In the Township of South Algonquin, where more than a third of the participants reside, the response has been overwhelming. “Many residents within our municipality have benefited – many could not have afforded the upgrades to their homes otherwise,” says South Algonquin’s mayor, Jane Dumas. “This program has improved the quality of life of our residents.”

The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is responsible for the provision of Ontario Works, Community Child Care, Social Housing, and Emergency Medical Services. DNSSAB is governed by a twelve member Board of Directors consisting of locally elected officials from across the district.

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