M.L. housing authority hoping new rules for seniors fill vacancies
With new rules from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, staff with the Meadow Lake Housing Authority hopes to fill a number of local senior-based vacancies.
On Nov. 1, 2017, new guidelines came into place that will make it a bit easier for more seniors to be approved. Adults aged 55 are now permitted, as the minimum age used to be 60. The asset limit is now set at $300,000 instead of the previous $250,000. Income limits also changed from $42,000 per single senior and $50,000 per couple. The asset and income limits are waived for those with disabilities who require a persons a fully accessible space.
Barb Arnold, Manager of Meadow Lake Housing Authority said the rules typically coincided with the markets, but she said with these new rules, she hopes more people will inquire about their eligibility.
“It should open up a wide range of people,” she said. “The Government of Saskatchewan has also expanded the senior housing program in smaller communities, which gives seniors access to housing units that are unable to be filled by social housing clients even if their income and assets are higher than social housing program limits. We now have the ability to be a bit more flexible.”