Minister notes ‘steady drawdown’ from rental support fund
A “steady drawdown” of funds from a government programme has helped residents with emergency, short-term rental costs, the House of Assembly heard today.
Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said figures showed that there was an “active demand” for the Support Pilot Programme — Hardship Fund, of which housing accounted for just over 50 per cent or $75,135 of the scheme.
The pilot, which was launched last March, is being administered by the Government in collaboration with the charity Home.
Ms Furbert told the House that $64,327 in payments were made to private landlords while $10,812 was paid to the Bermuda Housing Corporation.
The fund also covers the utilities of eligible families, which accounted for $3,238 in payments from the scheme. It covered $5,124 in applicants’ grocery bills.
MPs heard that a multidisciplinary committee that oversees the fund received 141 referrals from partner agencies and service providers who sought assistance for individuals experiencing financial hardship.
Ms Furbert said 116 referrals were approved and funded.
In a breakdown of support provided, she said 25 referrals were not approved owing to eligibility constraints, duplication of support or incomplete documentation.
She said 11 families were experiencing medical emergencies including “situations involving life-threatening or time-sensitive hardship circumstances requiring immediate financial intervention”.
In addition, she said seven families were facing hardship related to their young children, including “urgent needs such as school clothing and nursery assistance to help ensure family stability”.
A further 12 referrals were received for individuals who had been approved but required short term support until their benefits were activated.
“These statistics reflect a referral approval rate of approximately 82.2 per cent demonstrating an active demand for the programme,” Ms Furbert added.
As of February, the committee reported that $134,439 had been spent from the fund, and a $13,561 balance was available at that time.
“These figures reflect a steady drawdown of funds in response to proven emergency needs, with careful monitoring to ensure sustainability,” the minister said.
Beyond individual assistance, she said the committee “has consistently identified systemic issues” which require policy attention.
They included the need for clearer definitions of “hardship” to support consistency in decision-making, challenges related to rental deposits and access to affordable housing.
Ms Furbert added: “This pilot programme has emphasised the need to obtain more accurate data collection to inform long-term programme planning and the value of enhanced co-ordination among stakeholder social partners.
“These insights are helping to inform ongoing policy development and broader housing and homelessness strategies.
“The statistics before this House demonstrate that the hardship fund is not a substitute for long-term social policy but a critical safety net for Bermudians facing immediate crisis.”
• To see the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media
You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.
