Midwestern Ontario municipalities are getting a share of $241 million in provincial funding to help protect Ontario’s most vulnerable from COVID-19, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker announced that Bruce County will receive $680,180 in social services relief funding for emergency shelters, homelessness prevention and rent relief.
Grey County will receive $793,347 for rent relief and capital funding for retrofits to existing buildings for additional transitional housing and self-contained apartments.
“Our government is investing in important projects like these to help protect our most vulnerable citizens from COVID-19,” said Walker. “We’re working hand in hand with our partners to make sure they have the tools and flexibility they need to keep people safe.”
Walker said the provincial funding is part of the government’s $510 million investment to help protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people. Funding will be delivered through the Social Services Relief Fund and will go towards protecting and supporting homeless shelter staff and residents, creating or renovating over 1,500 housing units, expanding rent support programs and creating longer-term housing solutions.
Over $2.7 million in relief funding will help local service agencies in Perth-Wellington.
MPP Randy Pettapiece said Phase 2 of the Social Services Relief Fund includes over $1.9 million for the County of Wellington and $721,thousand 621 for Stratford and Perth County.
“COVID-19 has significantly increased demand for services in Perth-Wellington,” Pettapiece said. “This investment is urgently needed to help providers continue their excellent work to support those who need our help.”
“Poverty and homelessness are not limited to the big cities,” Pettapiece added. “It’s an issue across rural and urban parts of our province.”
“We know that our municipal and Indigenous partners are facing extraordinary challenges, which is why these significant investments are so important,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark. “Our investments are helping to build longer term solutions as well as meet ongoing, immediate needs related to COVID-19.”
The media release also stated that the Social Services Relief Fund is part of the up to $4 billion being provided to Ontario municipalities under the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement. It will help municipalities protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario while delivering critical public services, such as public transit and shelters, as the province continues down the path of economic recovery.
