The United Counties will be getting some funding following a rise in COVID-19 cases at emergency shelters.
On Wednesday, the Ontario government announced it’s providing the counties another $1,460,755 to protect homeless shelter staff and residents, and to help keep more people off the streets.
It’s part of the province’s $255 million investment through the Social Services Relief Fund.
MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Steve Clark says the province is taking immediate action in an effort to save lives.
“The funding brings the total SSRF funding to $4,381,000, so, it’s good news for the United Counties, local mayors and councils, who like me, want to ensure people have an affordable place to call home,” Clark said.
Municipal service managers and Indigenous program partners can use the funding to acquire motel and hotel spaces to support physical distancing of shelter residents,
The funding can also be used to hire more shelter staff, purchase personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies, and add to rent and utility banks to prevent more people from becoming homeless.
Clark says he’s excited to see how the United Counties utilize the funds.
“The goal is to really look at ways they can help our most vulnerable, to be transparent, to tell the community what they’re using the funding for, but also to let the community know what they’re doing with the existing funds from the SSRF,” Clark said. “So, we’re really looking forward to collaboration.”
The province launched the Social Services Relief Fund in March 2020 to help protect the health and safety of the most vulnerable people during the pandemic.