Provincial funding for emergency shelters in city
The Ontario government is providing an additional $1,981,681 in new provincial funding to help Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County respond to an increase in COVID-19 cases in some emergency shelters and help keep vulnerable people safe.
The City of Kawartha Lakes Service Manager is responsible for the administration of Social Services programs in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. Kawartha Lakes has now received a total of $5,944,630 for all three phases of the Social Services Relief Fund to support local vulnerable populations during COVID-19.
“This new additional funding of $1,981,681 will continue to support and protect homeless shelter residents and staff while helping prevent more people from becoming homeless,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “We are working closer than ever with our community partners to ensure they have the resources and space to help keep people safe during these difficult times.”
Today’s announcement is part of the province’s additional $255 million investment through the Social Services Relief Fund. Provincial 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.
“We are pleased to see the continued support of the Province as this pandemic situation continues. This additional SSRF funding will provide us with the means to assist the most vulnerable in our community particularly those that find themselves without a home,” said Hope Lee, Manager, Human Services (Housing).
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.
Pictured: Local MPP Laurie Scott.
