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“Seniors are important members of our One Island Community and our government is committed to doing everything we can to make their homes safer, more energy-efficient and comfortable. That’s why we re-introduced the Seniors’ Emergency Home Repair Program in 2007, and I am proud that we have been able to help more than 600 seniors since then,” said Ghiz.

Islanders aged 60 and older, with an annual household income of up to $35,000 will now be able to apply for assistance through the program, marking a $5,000 increase to the income threshold. Approximately 450 homeowners are expected to benefit from the change.

Freda Hickox is one of the seniors who received assistance through the program. This past winter, she had the doors and front window replaced on her Charlottetown home.

“I had been thinking for a while of doing some home repairs, until one day this past winter my back door wouldn’t open anymore, and that was my fire escape. Seniors can use all the help they can get these days, and I am very grateful that I was able to receive assistance to make my home safer when I needed it most,” Hickox said.

The Seniors’ Emergency Home Repair Program helps seniors repair or replace their roofs, furnaces, oil tanks, septic and water systems, and windows and doors. The program provides half of the repair cost, to a maximum of $1500.

The program has funded repairs to the homes of 609 seniors since 2007 and pumped $1.7 million into the Island community by creating work for contractors and tradespeople.

“The Seniors’ Emergency Home Repair Program has been a great assistance to hundreds of Island seniors so far, and we hope everyone who is eligible under the expansion of this program will apply, so that we can continue helping seniors stay in their own homes longer,” said Social Services and Seniors Minister Doug Currie.

To apply, visit www.gov.pe.ca/go/housing or call 1-888-831-8880.