Sask. Housing Benefit expands to help renters with cost of living

The Saskatchewan Housing Benefit is expanding to provide relief to some renters.

Starting this month, anyone spending at least 35 per cent of their pre-tax household income on rent will be eligible for a monthly benefit, which is calculated based on household size and the portion of income paid in rent.

The monthly benefit amounts have also been increased, the government announced Thursday. That means a single person or a couple living with one dependent and spending 35 per cent of their income on rent will receive $225 each month.

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” federal Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen said in a statement. “To respond to increased cost of living, we are expanding the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit to help ensure that hard-working Saskatchewan families and individuals don’t get left behind.”

The Saskatchewan Housing Benefit was developed by both the provincial and federal governments through the National Housing Strategy, and more than $11 million is available for the program this fiscal year.

Other changes to the program announced this week include the removal of previous rent limits and increasing the asset eligibility limit to $300,000.

More information on the benefits and how to apply can be found online.