Ontario providing more support to communities during COVID-19

Additional funding to help keep vulnerable people safe in Huron-Bruce

NEWS - For immediate release Aug. 16, 2021

[HURON-BRUCE] – The Ontario government is providing close to $2 million in new funding to help local municipalities deliver critical services, create longer-term housing solutions, and keep vulnerable people safe.

“If this pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that we must protect our most vulnerable,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson. “Today’s announcement will play a big part in making this possible across the counties of Huron and Bruce.”

Bruce County will receive $1,051,200 while Huron County will be receiving $826,100.

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.

“Municipalities have been on the frontlines of Ontario’s pandemic response and vaccine rollout, while continuing to protect our most vulnerable populations, including homeless populations,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is committed to ensuring municipalities have the resources they need to keep their communities safe, and today’s funding will help our local partners deliver critical services, support vulnerable people, and unlock affordable housing in their communities.”

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.

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.

· Today’s province-wide investment includes $21 million of funding under the previously announced Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) that is being allocated to help support community housing.

· As part of its Community Housing Renewal Strategy and response to COVID-19, Ontario is investing approximately $1.3 billion in 2021-2022 to help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness. This includes the Social Services Relief Fund.

Media contact: John McPhee

[email protected]