City administering $1.8M social services relief fund from province

To help provide relief for pressing challenges faced by many during the COVID-19 pandemic, the province has announced a new $200 million Social Services Relief Fund., according to a media release.

The municipality will receive $1.8 million to support the provision of emergency housing and shelter services and food security in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. City of Kawartha Lakes is also the designated service manager for Human Services in Haliburton County.

“These are exceptional times for everyone, requiring new and responsive approaches,” says Rod Sutherland, Director, Human Services, City of Kawartha Lakes.

“This support from the province will go a long way toward helping people who are homeless, at-risk of becoming homeless, low-income households and those who now need additional help to meet their basic needs.”

Currently, the funding is being allocated to support emergency housing, homelessness prevention and food security programs including:

• A Place Called Home, Lindsay
• SIRCH Community Services, Haliburton
• Central Food Network, Wilberforce
• Bobcaygeon Food Bank
• Salvation Army, Lindsay
• Kawartha Lakes Food Source
• United Way, City of Kawartha Lakes

The Social Services Relief Fund also provides provincial funding through the Ontario Works program to deliver direct financial assistance to individuals or families in immediate financial crisis, including those currently on social assistance who require additional resources.

Requests for Emergency Assistance or Discretionary Benefits can be made by contacting the Human Services office directly at 705-324-9870.

“Protecting the health and well-being of all Ontarians is our government’s number one priority,” commented the Honourable Laurie Scott, MPP of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock and Minister of Infrastructure.

“That is why we are taking decisive action to support the most vulnerable in our communities, including people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless during this unprecedented time. They depend on local services that provide them with the supports they need and a place to sleep at night. Social services staff across the province are doing critical work right now and we hope these funds will allow them to further help those who need it most.”