Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker and Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson have announced Grey, Bruce and Huron Counties will receive a total of $3,325,305 in new provincial funding from the Social Services Relief Fund.
The Ontario government is providing $1,770,258 to Grey County, $870,781 to Bruce County and $684,266 to Huron County to help respond to an increase in COVID-19 cases in some emergency shelters and help keep vulnerable people safe. The new funding will protect homeless shelter staff and residents, and help prevent more people from becoming homeless.
“Our government continues to provide needed support to our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Walker. “This funding will help ensure both counties have the resources to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
Today’s announcement is part of the province’s additional $255 million investment through the Social Services Relief Fund. More information is available here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60614/ontario-takes-further-action-to-protect-homeless-shelters-during-covid-19
“I want to thank Minister Clark for continuing to deliver assistance for our region,” said Thompson. “This investment is a significant boost that will have a tremendous impact on our efforts to protect our local residents during this crisis.”
Municipal service managers and Indigenous program partners can use the funding to acquire motel and hotel spaces to support physical distancing of shelter residents, hire more shelter staff, purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, and add to rent and utility banks to prevent more people from becoming homeless.
“Our government is once again taking immediate action to save lives by responding to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in some emergency shelters across the province,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This investment will ensure our municipal service managers can keep vulnerable people and shelter workers safe by providing them with the financial ability to take any means necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19 in shelter spaces.”
Under the Social Services Relief Fund, Ontario has provided $765 million to help service managers and Indigenous program partners support shelters, create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians affected by COVID-19, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Ontario launched the Social Services Relief Fund in March 2020 to help protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people during COVID-19.
As part of its Community Housing Renewal Strategy and response to COVID-19, Ontario is investing approximately $1.75 billion in 2020-2021 to help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness. This includes the Social Services Relief Fund.
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