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HOUSING: Minister Evans threatens police action against abusers of housing fund

            (AlbertaIndex, July 20, Friday) --- As public anger grows over the abuse of government funds for housing rental relief, Employment, Immigration and Industry Minister Iris Evans has threatened to call in the police to investigate and press criminal charges against those responsible. 

            As the minister responsible, Evans has come under fire for incompetence in the management of the annual $7 million budget to help distressed Albertans with their rents. The Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Fund was set up in April following complaints that the government of Premier Ed Stelmach wasn’t doing enough to deal with the provinces’s escalating housing crisis.
           
The fund will soon be depleted as more than $4.3 million have already been disbursed between May 11 and July 18. The local media has reported that many people were able to tap the funds despite submitting fraudulent claims that the ministry failed to verify.
            In response to the growing controversy, Evans issued the following statement:
            “I am concerned about allegations that funds available to help Albertans facing eviction or homelessness may not have been used as intended. I have directed the department to take immediate steps to ensure there is no misuse of taxpayers’ dollars.
            “The actions include reminding staff, who administer the program, to confirm eligibility according to program requirements, directing additional staff to verify documents and follow up with landlords and finally, I've asked our internal auditors to undertake a review of the administration of the fund, as is standard practice, to ensure accountability of procedures especially since this is a new program that has been designed to be both flexible and responsible to meet the needs of Albertans.
            “It’s important to remember that in just a few months, this fund has helped more than 5,000 Albertans facing dire housing situations. My department staff have worked diligently to get this program up and running and I commend them for working so hard on behalf of Albertans.”

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