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Their uniting trait was opposition to the welfare program, which only four per cent supported (three per cent were undecided).

The SIS was introduced this summer and will gradually replace two existing income assistance programs in the province, with a complete transition slated for 2021.

Under SIS, housing and utility payments are no longer directly paid to the housing provider.

The ministry has billed this as part of the program’s greater mission of making recipients more autonomous. However, non-profits and housing providers say the most vulnerable recipients, like people who use drugs or those with mental health challenges, may default on their rent and utility payments under the new program.

Miller said the policy needs to be more flexible.

“We don’t want to figure out a solution for the majority. We want to figure out a solution for the individual. Because if you’re just going to make a solution for the majority, there are going to be hundreds or thousands of people hung out to dry,” Miller said.

Thirty-one per cent of survey respondents say they’ve already had a “direct negative experience” with SIS beneficiaries.

The program is growing as new welfare recipients register or as existing ones transfer to it. In August, 900 households were receiving SIS benefits; currently there are more than 3,300.

Cameron Choquette, CEO of the landlord association, said his members are proud to rent to people on social assistance but want the guarantee of a direct deposit.