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PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1974, WHITBY FREE PRESS Ontario Home Renewal Program by Bill Newman This is the first opportunity I have had to thank all of you for those warm letters of congratulation I have re- ceived during the past week. I will be answering your letters individually, but in the meantime I want you to know that your support and confidence has meant a great deal to me. As the new Minister of Environment, I an ilooking forward to the many challenges that lie ahead. Aside from my personal endeavors, there have also been some exciting things happening in the field of housing. I think everyone realizes today that while we do need a significant amount of new housing, there is also a sub- stantial need for government aid in preserving and improving older homes. Last December, the Ontario Government entered into an agreement with the federal government to take part in a new Neighbourhood Improvement Progran (NIP) designed to rejuvenate deteriorating urban areas, and the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) which will increase the aid available within NIP designated areas. These programs provide low-interest and partly for- gi\eable loans to honeowners, landlords and non-profit housing corporations under certain conditions but only within specific areas. Recently, the Ontario Government decided to take one step further and provide municipalities which meet our criteria with provincial funds in the form of grants and loans that can be used for home improvement in districts either inside or outside designated NIP areas, including rural and non-organized municipalities. The Ontario Home Renewal Program is a new concept in the field of housing. As a result I feel it would be best explained through a question and answer format: Q. How will residents be informed of the Ontario Home Renewal Program? A. The Ministry of Housing will develop brochures explaining the program, but because it will be administered locally the prime responsibility to inform residents will rest with the municipality. Q. Where do residents go to inquire and/or apply for the program? A. At your local municipal office. Q. How do I know if I qualify? A. The annual incorne of the honeowner nust not exceed $12,000 - or the current income limits defined by the Ontario Housing Corporation for purchasing a house under the Home Ownership Made Easy Plan - whichever is greater. There are no income limits in the case of ihsentec February Meeting 0f Liberal ASSOC. Of Ontario The February meeting of the LiberalrAssociation of Ontario Ridings executive was held in Ajax. Pat Bour- geois, President of the Assoc- iation, presided at the meeting. The Prime Minister's Din- ner was held March 6th, at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The Federal Nc Meeting for Ontar lias beeui postpo] May. Further in will be forthcoming The First Fede ultural Serninar wi on March 30th in Township of Scug Seminar will take the afternoon fol ONTARIO HOUSING CORPORATION An Agency of the Province of Ontario FURNITURE AND FITTINGS Cobalt OH-2 Fort Frances OH-6 Niagara Falls OH-7 Queensway/Winderemere (Metro) OH-129 F.Q.S. 71/74 Stoney Cr4 Sudbury C Teeswater Tretheway (Metro) Whitby Oh landlords. However, they are required to enter into rent stabilization agreements. Q. Can residents in rural areas apply directly to the province for the home renewal program? A. Where are Minister of Housing has been request- cd to undertake responsibility for such activity directly in a rural area, residents can apply directly to the Minister of Housing through field offices. Q. A. Q. A. How is the loan/grant paid to property owners? The amount of the grant of loan together with interest, will be geared to your ability to repay. The geared-to-income formula will be developed locally but must be acceptable to the Minister. What happens if the owner sells his house? If the homeowner sells his house or ceases to occupy it at any time prior to the period required to earn the full amount of the grant portion, he shall be required to pay back the pro-rated portion of the grant and any outstanding loan. The num- ber of years the homeowner must occupy the unit will be determined by dividing the amount of the grant by $600. For example, if the total grant is $1,800 then the owner must occupy the unit for 3 years. Q. Does the municipality have to repay any of the money given under the Ontario Home Renewal Progran to the province? A. No. The repayment of the loans by property owners to the municipality shall remain with the municipality as a revolving fund and shall be add- cd to in future years' annual allocation. Legislation will be introduced this scason making S0 million available to municipalities during the program's first year of operation. Hopefully the Home Renewal Program will become effective April Ist. In the meantime if you have any further questions, please do not hesiiate to write me at Queen's Park. William Newman, Minister of the Environmient. Riding loniniation a Dinnier-Dance in the even- io Riding ing. Guest Speaker for the ned until occasion will be the Hon. formation Eugene Whelan, Minister of Agriculture. For tickets and rai Agric. further information contact ll be held Georgia Brendon at 985-3156 the New in Port Perry. og. The A committee has been place in formed to investigate the or- lowed by ganization of a separate assoc- iation for the Provincial Riding of Ontario South. Chairman of this Committee is Vince Dinelle, Vice- President from Ontario South. The Peterborough Liberal Association has invited our organization ta send delegates- to a Conference to be held indPeterborough on May 10 ,ek Oh-I1 and 1l. Topics at this con- DH-18 ference will be Riding Organ- OH-1 ization, Campaign Manage- /Tedder ment and the Use of the OH--162 Media. h-3 Tenders will be received for the above until 12:00 noon4 E.S.T. April 2, 1974 by the Ontario Housing Corporation, 101 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1P8. c/o the Chief Purchasing Officër, 1I th floor, from whom details and specifications may be obtained or telephone 966-3600, ext. 294, quoting reference number as above. Proponents may bid on one project, a group of projects, or all projects. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted.* by Rev. R. H. James Whitby Free Methodist Church With food costs continuing to soar, many hungry people, in the world see no relief. We ponder the question. Is there anything we can do about it? May I suggest two things. It irks me as I drive through the outskirts of almost any city in the summer to sec fields left idle growing weeds. Many are owned by land speculators. Surely they could have them planted in wheat, oats, barley, corn or other grains or hay. They could even rent the land to gardeners. If they do not wish to do either, then they could have the use of their land placed into the hands of a gardener who could allocate land to whoever wished to grow a garden to town or city people at little or no cost. The latter was donc in Ottawa on idle land owned by the city this passed year which was sparked by a suggestion made on radio which unexpected to the one making the remark caught on with considerable interest. Are there those interested here in Whitby and Oshawa, I would be glad to assist as I do enjoy gardening, more so for the satisfaction needy hungry people are being fed. Just recently our church sent considerable powdered milk, cocoa, vitamins and oatmeal to a needy area of India. Concerning our nation, it is time the government stopped paying farmers, especially in the West, not to grow wheat but to give them incentives to grow all grains possible, raising more cattle, hogs, sheep, etc. This would help to bring about a needed food supply. It would be better for us as a nation to stock pile grains even if it is for seven years, pay the farner for stock piling, lend him money till he can sel his products. One crop failure or several as we had in the thirties would cause greater hunger in this world than it perhaps has ever known. More of our good food producing land should be reserved for agriculture such as the Niagara district, southern Ontario and other prime agricultural areas. How would it be if industry were ta build in non- productive agriculture areas, people would move to those areas just as people from the Maritimes, the West, and all across Canada moved to the Toronto area. Not only would the Brougham, Claremont area be saved for agricul- ture, but other areas would also. Yours for an abundant food supply, Rev. R.H. James ONTARIO'S NEW TAX CREDIT SYSTEM: 2outof3 Ontario residents who file income tax returns this year wIl share $300 million in tax credi*ts. (Even if they don't pay income tax!) Families. pensioners. roomers, boarders, the handicapped and others will benefit. Ontario's newTax Credit System provides for three separate credits, and here's how they work: 1. People who own or rent (including roomers and boarders) may share in the PropertyTax Credit. 2. People who fill out a Federal income tax return may share in the Sales Tax Credit. 3. People over 65 may share in the Pensioner Tax Credit. You must fill out a Federal income tax return. The new purple OntarioTax Credit Form cornes attached inside it. So even ifyou don't pay incorne tax,you should still file a Federal incorne tax return with the OntarioTax Credit Form this year. We want yQuto get your fair share of Ontario's tax credits. William G. Davis, Premier Ontario's, Allan Grosman, Minister of Revenue ' TAX CREDIT SYSTEM If you have any questions you may, free of charge, dial "0" and ask the operator for Zenith 8-2000. Residents within the Metro Toronto local calling area should dial 965-8470. 74-.HC r n As Soe it à