The County of Renfrew spoke… and they say the provincial government has listened.
The county is set to receive a $3.5 million investment this year as part of an increase to Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention and Indigenous Support Housing Programs, nearly double what they were given last year.
The money comes as part of the Ontario government’s recent commitment of an additional $202 million a year for the programs, raising the total spent annually to combat homelessness in the province to close to $700 million.
The funds that have been set aside will be used to cover a variety of local housing and homelessness supports that help with housing acquisition, retention, and affordability, including funding for emergencies, rent allowances, and essential home repairs.
The county has also announced that the province has also clued them in on what the next two years of funding for the programs should look like, which will help with the planning and delivery of those supports.
Warden Peter Emon says that they are “extremely grateful for the injection of funding,” noting that it will have “a positive impact on the wellness of low-income households.” He adds that the funds will help with their plans to “create affordable housing in Renfrew County and will allow us to develop more supportive housing stock and housing options.”
Meanwhile, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke M.P.P. John Yakabuski is calling it a “commitment to addressing the housing supply crisis,” adding that “investing in programs that support housing affordability and security will help Renfrew County residents to stay housed safely in our community.”
(written by Kasey Egan)
