The request was made by Renfrew County Housing Corporation general manager Carol Neill before county council Nov. 26.

If supported, the request would allow the county to increase its annual capital expenditure from of an average $800 per housing unit to $1,200.

County finance chairman Raye-Anne Briscoe is among those somewhat cool to the proposal, given the recent downturn in the economy.

“I don’t think it’s a question of essential money,” said Briscoe, indicating there’s a need for a more flexible approach that includes discussion of how social housing funds are spent each year.

Social services director Dave Anderson, who is supportive of the proposal, and Neill both say the increased  expenditure would maintain the county’s social housing structures at an acceptable repair level.

This request was made following consultant Paradigm Engineering Group’s recommendation that an average of  $1,914 be spent on each unit per year.

“We also know that Paradigm made these assumptions based on a perfect-world scenario without funding restrictions,” said the housing corporation’s submission to county council.

Neill has also indicated the County of Renfrew and the Renfrew Housing Corporation have taken a proactive approach to managing capital reserves by annually requesting municipal budget funds be set aside for future capital repairs to social housing units.  She also pointed out this approach from 2002 to 2007 has resulted in a  capital reserves fund balance of $1,736,730, plus interest.

Paradigm’s Building Condition Assessment (BCA) study says the county’s social housing buildings are in “better than average shape for buildings of similar age and size across Ontario.”

However, Neill says the BCA report consistently demonstrates the annual level of reserve funding is not adequate to meet or sustain the capital needs proposed by Paradigm.

The recommendation will be among several considered during the county’s late-January budget workshop.