More social services relief funds for city from province

The Ontario government is providing $2.4 million to help the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County deliver critical services, create longer-term housing solutions and keep vulnerable people safe, according to a media release from local MPP Laurie Scott.

“With this new investment, the City of Kawartha Lakes Consolidated Municipal Service Manager has received a total of $8,337,030 for the administration of Social Services programs in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County through the Social Services Relief Fund,” said Scott. “This funding will support local shelters, create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable community members affected by COVID-19.”

Today’s announcement is part of the province’s additional $307 million investment to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners respond to COVID-19. This investment builds upon the $765 million dollars of Social Services Relief Funding (SSRF) announced in 2020- 2021, for a total support to communities of over $1 billion.

“We’d like to thank the Ontario government and MPP Laurie Scott for this new phase of funding,” said Rod Sutherland, director of human services, City of Kawartha Lakes. “The Social Services Relief Fund has provided direct support to many vulnerable groups in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County, including those who are homeless, at-risk of becoming homeless and those in need of additional support to meet their basic needs. It is hoped that this funding will further assist in meeting short term COVID-19 recovery needs, as well as help build longer term solutions.”

Municipalities and Indigenous community partners can use the funding to protect homeless shelter staff and residents, add to rent banks, build affordable housing, and support plans to prepare for potential future outbreaks and/or emergencies.