by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 04/96) - Proposed cuts to the social assistance housing allowance are leaving people with disabilities worried they will find themselves with nowhere to go.

Dana Heide, executive director of the GNWT income support program, confirmed that the housing allowance for single people will be capped at $450 per month in the new year.

Heide does, however, maintain that each person in the NWT will have his or her case reviewed before an allowance is cut, in many cases by nearly half.

"If their handicap requires them to live in a place with more than $450 a month rent, we'll review it," he said. "We'll be reviewing each case prior to cuts."

Erik Jensen, who suffers from MS and is unable to work, said that he won't be able to get by on $450 a month for rent.

"I didn't figure they were going to do this," he said. "There's no way I can exist on $450."

Like at least 10 other people with disabilities, Jensen, 44, lives at Northern United Place, where a month's rent is $855.

"If these cuts come down, there's a lot of people that won't be able to pay their rent," he said.

Jensen will have to move, but he doesn't know where he will go for cheaper rent.

Rent in Yellowknife for a single room begins at about $500 per month.

Lydia Bardak, executive director of the NWT Council for Disabled, said that the cut will be disastrous, particularly for their clients in Yellowknife.

"There is little or no accommodation at that price, particularly for those people who need wheelchair access," she said.

Bardak is also concerned about the stress people will be under while waiting for their case to be reviewed.

"It will be stressful for them until Social Services will commit for their existing accommodation," she said. "But they shouldn't be lumped in with social assistance anyway."

Heide said that this cut is only part of some major changes that will take place in the social assistance program.

"For the disabled, this won't work out to be a cut to them," he said.