News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is proposing changes that would allow social assistance recipients to share housing accommodations.

The proposal to make changes to the Household Income Policy is part of the ongoing efforts by the Department of Social Development to reform social assistance programs. The changes will allow roommates to be assessed separately, a move that aims to increase access to affordable housing for social assistance recipients by allowing them to share accommodations.

“Our main objective is to help ensure everyone has the chance to live with dignity and to succeed,” said Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch. “Social assistance clients can be confronted with significant obstacles but we are committed to continue exploring ways to better support them.”

The Household Income Policy was put in place about 30 years ago to establish consistent criteria and a non-discriminatory process for the assessment of individuals for social assistance.

In determining eligibility for social assistance, the current General Regulation under the Family Income Security Act defines the grouping of people in need, living together, as an economic unit.

Currently, roommates are grouped together as an economic unit and are assessed together for social assistance. The proposed changes to the regulation would define units as the applicant/client, their spouse or partner, and any children under 21 years of age who are living together. Additionally, adult children of the client aged 21 or older living in the parental home would qualify for assistance if the parents’ income is below the poverty line. These changes to the regulation would allow roommates to share accommodations and be assessed for assistance separately.

The government intends to maintain exemptions allowing individuals with designations related to permanent disabilities, long-term health conditions, determined social needs, or individuals fleeing domestic violence to be able to share accommodations with others and be assessed independently.

“Reforming the Household Income Policy could positively impact up to 2,000 New Brunswickers in need and would represent an investment of at least $ 4 million,” said Fitch. “By allowing people to live together, we hope to help them access better housing options. This is another way for us to help reduce poverty and help New Brunswickers thrive and move forward to employment where possible.”

As required for any changes to regulations, the proposed changes to the General Regulation are being posted online for public comment for 28 days. Changes will come into effect on June 1, 2022.

In 2020-21, the Department of Social Development undertook a review of social assistance programs to identify and remove barriers to clients transitioning to employment, where possible. In addition to the annual indexation of social assistance rates, a number of initiatives were implemented as Phase I of the reform in October 2021. They included:

• increasing the wage exemption to $500/month plus 50 per cent of dollars earned above that amount;
• eliminating shelter deductions;
• exempting child support payments, Canada-New Brunswick Housing Benefit and Compensatory awards related to personal injury; and
• allowing nurse practitioners to sign reports for disability applications.

The measures put in place so far as part of the reform represent an investment of $22.6 million and are expected to impact the support provided to almost 29,000 New Brunswickers, including children.

Details of the Phase I of the Social Assistance Reform are available online.