Additional funding helps keep vulnerable people safe in Brantford-Brant
BRANTFORD —The Ontario government is providing $2,697,200.00 to help The City of Brantford deliver critical services, create longer-term housing solutions and keep vulnerable people safe.
“I am pleased to be part of a government that prioritizes the most vulnerable people among us”, said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “This new funding will help the City of Brantford deliver more services like protecting shelter staff and residents as well as helping with rent payments.”
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.
“As the social assistance and homelessness service provider for both the City of Brantford and the County of Brant, we are sincerely grateful to the province for this additional funding that will help strengthen our ongoing local relief and recovery efforts” Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “With many vulnerable populations in our region still facing severe ongoing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, these much needed funds will help enhance our ability to support individuals and families in most need of assistance.”
“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.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19
- Learn more about Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures
- See how your organization can help fight COVID-19
- For up-to-date information on the province’s vaccine rollout and instructions on how to book an appointment, visit Ontario’s vaccine webpage.
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For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or will.bouma@pc.ola.org