The Hastings Quinte area may soon have a Home Share program similar to one in the town of Cobourg.
The Community and Human Services decided on Thursday to recommend that Hastings County apply for a “New Horizons for Seniors” grant for a “Home Share” program.
Erin Rivers tells Quinte News it in can benefit both parties.
If the $25,000 grant is received a consultant will be hired to investigate the program and then staff would take it over.
Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy called it “A great idea.” He said, “It’s a way for people to solve the housing problem themselves.”
The Home Share program is already underway in Port Hope and Cobourg, and has been developed in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec.
The recommendation will go to county council at the end of the month.
Another homeless count in 2020
The homeless enumeration project, started in Hastings County last year, will resume this fall.
The Hasting County Community and Human Services Committee decided Thursday to have Bridge Street United Church undertake a homelessness enumeration once again.
In an interview following the meeting, Director Erin Rivers said, “It provides the data needed to make sure the gaps in services and programs we have with regards to homelessness are addressed.”
She indicated the enumeration provides the information needed to identify the true sense of homelessness in the communities.
The actual count will take place next spring.
Letter to go out to tenant
A bid to have a social housing tenant member on the Hastings Community and Human Services Committee has failed.
Belleville Councillor Pat Culhane, a committee member, called for a letter to be sent to Robert Shaw who had appeared last month advocating for such a move.
Culhane said Shaw deserved to receive a letter after his presentation.
Director Erin Rivers said there is already a formal complaint process for the tenants.
Quinte West Councillor Karen Sharpe indicated concern that one person represent all the tenants.
Sharpe said there are regular meetings on site with the tenants in social housing.
The committee decided it would like to see a draft letter explaining this to Shaw.
