The vulnerable population within Northumberland County — the homeless and those at risk of being homeless — will receive some welcome relief thanks to additional funding announced by the provincial government.
Northumberland County Warden Bob Crate says the County received notice of $1,626,100 in provincial social services funding on Monday, Aug. 16, to deliver critical services, create longer-term housing solutions and keep vulnerable people safe. The additional Social Services Relief funding brings the total support for the County of Northumberland to $5,666,868.
Crate called the funding announced by Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini a “good day” for Northumberland County.
“We’ve seen an uptick in the services we’ve had to provide in the last year, so this has been a real boost for us in that we have had to, sort of, go to the well and try to get money from other areas, so the fact that the province has stepped up to help us in this area is a big deal for us,” said Crate, who also serves as the Trent Hills Mayor.
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, noted Piccini in a press release.
“Partners like Northumberland County Community and Social Services are doing critical work to help the most vulnerable populations in our community,” said Piccini. “This additional investment continues to ensure our unicipal service manager is able to have the resources they need to keep their communities safe, respond to local needs, protect and serve our most vulnerable populations, and support long-term measures that will boost our collaborative and coordinated response to homelessness. The plan for these funds have been well thought out by Social Services staff and system partners, and really focus on sustainable local solutions.”
Crate noted Northumberland, like other Ontario jurisdictions, has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially its vulnerable population.
Crate adds homelessness is an issue growing all over the region.
The province’s additional $307 million investment announced on Monday is intended to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners respond to COVID-19. This investment builds upon the $765 million of Social Services Relief Funding announced in 2020- 2021, for a total support to communities of more than $1 billion.
