Isleifson defends province’s move to cut Community Housing Improvement Initiative

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This article was published 19/08/2017 (2982 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Despite local criticism, Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson stands by the province’s decision to discontinue the Community Housing Improvement Initiative.

As reported last week, Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corp.’s popular Front and Paint program will no longer be funded.

“It’s always disappointing when programs get cut, but at the same time I always try to be optimistic and look at the positives,” Isleifson said. “When I looked into this one … it makes sense. It’s unfortunate that we’re in a position where we do have to review funding.”

A total of 20 neighbourhood renewal groups across Manitoba will no longer receive the CHII funds, which will result in savings of $510,000.

Isleifson said he is comfortable with the decision, knowing there are other programs that target low-income homeowners and landlords still available through Manitoba Housing, such as the Homeowner Renovation Assistance Program, Residential Adaptations for Disabilities Program, Manitoba Emergency Repair Program for Homeowners and Rental Housing Improvement Program.

“While on the surface, it sounds like it’s something really bad, I think it creates more opportunity,” he said. “It’s unfortunate we have to cut programs, but we’re in the financial mess that we are. We need to put a handle on our spending and get things under control.”

The Front and Paint program has been available in Brandon since 2002, and received $468,000 in provincial funding over the past 15 years. A total of 476 projects have been funded in Brandon, contributing to a wide range of improvements from windows and doors to shingles and landscaping.

Goals of the program were to enhance the exterior appearance of properties within the BNRC district, encourage upkeep, improve safety and build community pride. Maximum grants awarded were for $1,500, and there were requirements related to gross family income.

The total funding received from the province in both 2015 and 2016 was $25,500. In 2015, 17 projects were funded, followed by 15 projects in 2016.

Leanne Petrin, BNRC’s affordable housing programs co-ordinator, said the funds all went out in grants, less five per cent administrative costs. In 2016, a wide range of projects were completed, including exterior painting, replacement of doors/windows/shingles, front deck replacement, etc.

The funding cuts have sparked criticism from some community members, including Ray Brunka, a Front and Paint grant recipient.

“That had to be one of the best programs that they had available,” he said. “The people that took advantage of it, were the ones who could least afford to get their house painted or their front door replaced …They’re the low-income (people), living in older parts of the city. Now that went down by the wayside.”

Brunka was able to use the grant to help fund a new paint job and install a new fence.

“It actually changed the complexion of the whole house,” he said.

His daughter was able to do similar work on her home as well, which helped spark a trend in the area.

“You could see the whole neighbourhood starting to change because of how hers turned out,” he said.

Front and Paint not only made the exterior of homes more esthetically pleasing, Brunka pointed out, but it increased property values.

“You get your assessments increased, then you get your mill rate applied to that and the city collects more property taxes,” he said. “It’s a great big circle.”

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