Caleb Nickerson
SHAWVILLE July 12, 2017
The provincial government is allocating an additional $5 million province-wide to the RénoRégion program to improve housing conditions for low-income citizens.
Last Wednesday, Pontiac MNA André Fortin was in Shawville with Warden Raymond Durocher to announce the funds earmarked for the MRC Pontiac.

“This year we’re able to put $325,000 for the Pontiac MRC specifically,” Fortin said. “It’s a program destined for people that are not the richest in our society, who don’t necessarily have the means to do these improvements themselves.”
The program is administered by the Société d’habitation du Québec but is managed by the MRCs. Citizens can apply to have up to 95 per cent of their renovation costs covered, up to $12,000. In order to qualify, the repair work needs to cost at least $2,000 and correct major defects to the integrity of the house.
Durocher said that last year the MRC received roughly $318,000 and funded 43 projects across the 18 municipalities. He explained that the program can cover anything from replacing a roof to fixing plumbing or insulation.
“You want to keep your citizens in their homes,” he said. “If people have to move out of their homes, they lose their sense of identity. By adapting the residence to their needs, they get five, six, ten more years in their house and everyone’s happy.”
He also added that the program benefits local contractors and businesses as well.
“The guy replacing the door is a local contractor, he hires people, he pays taxes, and he’s investing back in his community,” he said.
Additional information is available on the MRC’s website.