Little interest in modular homes intended to help N.S. wildfire victims

There is a modular homes program in Nova Scotia for people displaced by wildfires but, in the month it has been active, only a handful of people have opted to take advantage of it.

The program was announced as a response to the wildfires that started in late May that destroyed dozens of homes in the province.

Nova Scotia allocated $7.4 million to buy 25 modular homes.

Krista Higdon, spokesperson for the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said Friday that only three people are receiving housing from the program.

“Three applications have been approved to date and we received two more applications this week,” said Higdon.

“We still anticipate the first units to be in place during the month of September.”

Ben Jessome, MLA for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville, said that while the initiative of the department was good, by the time the program came out people had already found other places to go.

“It was too late, honestly,” said Jessome.

“Because a lot of people have already found accommodations.”

Jessome is trying to get in touch with Housing Minister John Lohr’s office because he’s worried the province wasted millions of dollars on a program that’s not being utilized.

“There must be an opportunity to repurpose that budgeted amount,” Jessome said.

“My hope is that they didn’t sign a contract and buy 25 homes, and now they’re on the hook anyway.”

Higdon said that the $7.4 million has been budgeted, but the modular homes haven’t necessarily been purchased, only “secured.”

“The province has secured 25 modular homes through Kent that we can purchase as needed,” Higdon said.

Property placement

According to the province’s announcement, the modular homes are roughly 84 to 93 square metres (900 to 1,000 square feet). Rent is to be month to month and range from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on someone’s location and insurance status.

The homes also include furnishings, appliances and connection to services.

Jessome voiced concern about putting the homes on people’s properties.

“It’s a community where you’re on well and septic, and properties are not accommodating for a second home,” said Jessome.

“It might have made sense if (the province was) able . . . to identify an empty lot.”

Hidgon said that the program doesn’t work for everyone’s situation and that the province is working with the Canadian Red Cross to come up with solutions.

“For people who prefer to stay in a rental and need financial support, we are encouraging them to reach out to the Canadian Red Cross for assistance,” said Higdon.

“In addition, where demand exists, work is also ongoing to identify land that can be used for modulars in situations where modulars are not an option for the existing properties and they are unable to find alternate housing.”

On-the-ground assistance

Bill Lawlor is the interim vice-president of the Canadian Red Cross in Atlantic Canada. He said that it’s the Red Cross’s job to evaluate the cases of each displaced individual and decide what works best for them.

“We were working with families, and have been since the moment the evacuations began, at the request of the government,” said Lawlor.

“We launched registration so that we could provide that initial $500 per household emergency evacuation support.”

The financial support that the Red Cross offers could be used to help with rent for one of the modular homes, if the person is interested in that program. Red Cross personnel use a survey to evaluate what the people being evacuated need, and that might not be a modular home.

Lawlor met with Lohr and his team on June 3 to discuss the program before it was announced.

Lawlor “anticipated” that the program might not be an instant hit.

“We certainly advised them that it wouldn’t be challenge free because not everybody will be ready right away to take this opportunity that’s in front of them,” said Lawlor.

“It’s complicated.”

Lawlor said that there could be many reasons why people aren’t applying for a modular home, from staying with friends or family to having a secondary residence like a cottage.

“Some people expressed an interest and the more they looked into (the modular home program) they decided that maybe that wasn’t the best route for them,” Lawlor said.

“I think that’s the important piece: it’s their decision.”

Lawlor wants people to know that there are many opportunities offered by the Red Cross, and people who are interested should check out its website.

“We help individual families navigate their own journey, and it’s very crucial to have the brushstroke comments,” said Lawlor.

“There’s no cookie-cutter approach here.”