Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark has announced that the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville will receive more than $1 million as its share of the $241 million the Ontario government is providing to help protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
“Our government is investing in important projects like this to help protect our most vulnerable citizens from COVID-19,” said MPP Clark. “We’re working hand in hand with our municipal partners to make sure they have the tools and flexibility they need to keep people safe.”
Locally, the United Counties will receive $1,076,906 for a project to acquire property and for renovations to create permanent housing with access to supports.
The provincial funding is part of the government’s $510 million investment to help protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people. Funding will be delivered through the Social Services Relief Fund and will go towards protecting and supporting homeless shelter staff and residents, creating or renovating over 1,500 housing units, expanding rent support programs and creating longer-term housing solutions.
“We know that our municipal and Indigenous partners are facing extraordinary challenges, which is why these significant investments are so important,” said Steve. “Our investments are helping to build longer term solutions as well as meet ongoing, immediate needs related to COVID-19.”
The Social Services Relief Fund is part of the up to $4 billion being provided to Ontario municipalities under the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement. It will help municipalities protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario while delivering critical public services, such as public transit and shelters, as the province continues down the path of economic recovery.
Ontario’s service managers and Indigenous program administrators help provide shelter or housing for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, victims of domestic violence, and members of Indigenous communities who are in need.
In September, the Ontario government passed the Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, which freezes rent in 2021 for the vast majority of Ontario’s 1.7 million renters in both rent-controlled and non-rent-controlled residential units.
