The efforts to improve New Brunswick’s housing system received another infusion of funding Friday morning.
Federal Minister Ahmed Hussen announced through a virtual link that the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick made a combined $98.3 million investment to create the New Brunswick Housing Benefit.
“Far too many people are forced to make the impossible choice between paying rent and buying groceries,” says Hussen.
The benefit will support nearly 6,700 low-income families over the next seven years, with payments that range from $300 to $475 per month for a maximum of three years.
Despite the title, recipients will be able to use the benefit to pay for other necessities such as food, clothing, childcare and transportation.
“They can spend it on daycare, they can spend it on transportation, it will help them deal with the affordability of their apartment,” says Bruce Fitch, Minister of Social Development for the province.
While New Brunswick is one of the last provinces in Canada to agree on such an agreement, Fitch was still quick to applaud the Higgs government for its part in the benefit, “ I think that the province is punching above its weight.”
When asked why an increased minimum wage would not be just as beneficial for New Brunswickers, Fitch said the wide variety of financial situations the housing benefit covers was more inclusive.
“As opposed to just attacking one end of the spectrum, we wanted to be more inclusive and have a broader range,” says Fitch
The conference held at the YMCA on Twin Oaks Drive in Moncton featured several political figures who spoke to the prominence of the benefit, including Provincial Minister Daniel Allain and Federal Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor, MP for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe was the first of many to reference the announcement as a “game-changer” for New Brunswickers, who have received several federal funding announcements as of late.
In March, the feds unveiled contributions towards the rising tide initiative as well as an apartment complex in Moncton’s Lewisville area. This week $700 million was pledged by the Trudeau government towards the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre.
Minister Hussen hinted that there may be more coming for New Brunswick’s housing situation saying, “I can assure you I will be back in New Brunswick because we will be announcing more projects that have received funding under the national housing strategy.”
The new benefit will be in addition to the previously announced bi-lateral agreement between Canada and New Brunswick.
