Ontario Protects Homeless Shelters Against COVID-19
March 10, 2021Additional funding helps keep vulnerable people safe in North Bay
NORTH BAY – MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is providing over $2.6 million to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board. This funding is in response to an increase in Covid-19 cases in some emergency shelters, and to help keep vulnerable people safe. The new funding will protect staff and residents, and help prevent more people from becoming homeless. This brings the total Covid-related funding to NDSSAB to $7,832,995.
“Our government recognizes that the pandemic has put financial pressures on homeless shelter with an increased demand of services,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “We are continuing to work with our partners to ensure vulnerable people in our community are safe.”
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.
“Our government is once again taking immediate action to save lives by responding to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in some emergency shelters across the province,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This investment will ensure our municipal service managers can keep vulnerable people and shelter workers safe by providing them with the financial ability to take any means necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19 in shelter spaces.”
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.
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario launched the Social Services Relief Fund in March 2020 to help protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people during COVID-19.
- As part of its Community Housing Renewal Strategy and response to COVID-19, Ontario is investing approximately $1.75 billion in 2020-2021 to help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness. This includes the Social Services Relief Fund.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- See how your organization can help fight COVID-19
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19
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For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Keri Buttle
Constituency Office
(705) 474-8340