Budget Bulletin: Families

MORE SUPPORT FOR NOVA SCOTIANS
Support to Nova Scotia families continues to be a priority for the Province of Nova Scotia in 2005-06. An additional $22 million is being added, bringing the annual budget up to $716 million. This funding will be used to support families, individuals and people with disabilities across the province.

IMPROVING CHILD CARE
Initiatives include a significant boost to child-care spending following a commitment in the 2005-06 federal budget to increase funding in this area. The province has been making improvements to its child-care system since launching the Early Childhood Development Initiative with the federal government in 2001. Since then, Nova Scotia has seen increases in the number of subsidized child-care seats, higher subsidies for low-income families, funding to increase the salaries of early childhood educators and help for children with special needs. New funding will be used to expand and enhance these supports.

SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
An additional $1 million will continue implementation of new programs to support people with disabilities in our communities. The In Home Support Program, which was launched in January 2005, will help adults with disabilities remain at home with their families. This program complements the Children's In Home Support Program by enabling support to continue after an individual turns 19.

ADDRESSING FAMILY VIOLENCE
The government will spend $250,000 to implement recommendations resulting from the review of family violence services across the province.

INCREASING HOME ASSISTANCE
Effective Oct. 1, 2005, single income assistance recipients who are renting will see an increase in shelter allowance of $50 per month, while boarders will get an increase of $25. The personal allowance for all social assistance recipients will also be increased for a two-year, annualized increase of $4.6 million. The province also assists low-income families with the cost of raising a child through its contribution to the Canada Child Tax Benefit, which can amount to more than $3,000 a year per child.

PROVIDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Affordable Housing Program also continues to grow, providing new housing options for low- to moderate-income Nova Scotians. To date, the federal and provincial governments have announced more than $19 million to create close to 400 new or renovated affordable housing units. The second phase of the agreement, signed in early 2005, will result in a total investment of $56 million by 2008.

NOTE: For further 2005-06 budget information, see the Department of Finance website at www.gov.ns.ca/finance