A $2.6 million funding grant to fight an increase in Covid-19 cases in some emergency shelters is welcome news to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB).
Two weeks ago Chair Mark King wrote to Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, explaining the issues with the low barrier shelter on Chippewa St. and how it was forced to adjust other budgets to keep the shelter open until August.
"This announcement today is certainly is huge news for us," King told BayToday. "This will solidify the operational costs for the low barrier shelter over the next year. We're spending about two million dollars a year on operations. It's tremendous news."
"This brings the total Covid-related funding to NDSSAB to $7,832,995," according to a news release from MPP Vic Fedeli.
Fedeli says it will protect staff and residents, and help prevent more people from becoming homeless.
“Our government recognizes that the pandemic has put financial pressures on homeless shelters with an increased demand for services,” said Fedeli.
Today’s announcement is part of the province’s additional $255 million in spending through the Social Services Relief Fund.
Recipients canuse the funding to acquire motel and hotel spaces to support the 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
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 spending approximately $1.75 billion in 2020-2021 to help sustain, repair, and grow community housing and help end homelessness.
