![]() Hansen told CBC she found out about the change from a constituent. Though the change was made in January, it just came to light publicly recently when Suzy Hansen, MLA for Halifax-Needham, asked Lohr about it in question period at Province House Tuesday. this to those most in need, and that's why that decision was made." "We could see that the demand for the program was exceeding what the budget would offer," Lohr said in an interview. "So, we felt the need to prioritize. On Friday, Housing Minister John Lohr echoed the idea that Nova Scotia is in a housing crisis, but said the change to the program was made for budgetary reasons. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr said the change to the program was made by the Nova Scotia government as a matter of budgeting. We really should be trying to help as many people as we can." "We're in a housing crisis, we're in a instability crisis. "I think if we're targeting 50 per cent, that's a lot less subsidies that they'll have to give out, ultimately," she said. MacLean is concerned about the impact this change will have on the hundreds of clients served by her organization. "I wish there would have been a little more transparency, community consultation around it because it just showed up on the new application and it wasn't discussed." "I think it's a drastic move and it's very secretive," MacLean said. She said she and others in the sector weren't expecting a change. MacLean fills out the same form with clients dozens of times a week in her work as housing and homelessness team lead at Welcome Housing in Halifax. The definition of severe housing need was changed to only apply to those spending 50 per cent or more of their income on housing. In late January, the province quietly changed the eligibility rules for the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit, known as the rent supplement program. The threshold to qualify for the program had been hiked from 30 to 50 per cent of a person's pre-tax income being spent on housing. If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.When housing support worker Leigh MacLean noticed a change on Nova Scotia's rent supplement application form, she thought it was a misprint. You may be able to get other help with housing costs. you’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not - unless you had an existing claim as a couple before.you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds.you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK.you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area (EEA) jobseeker.you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit.you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing).you live in the home of a close relative.you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit.Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if: If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs. If you do not get ‘care, support or supervision’ through your supported or sheltered housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with housing costs. ![]()
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