New funding is being proposed that would support a Homelessness Prevention Program in Hastings County for the next three years.
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Community and Human Services Committee decided to recommend that council accept the new funding from the ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of $6.1 million annually for three fiscal years from 2023 to 2026.
Also it recommends the county reissue the application for 2024.
The committee says that staff should be directed to identify potential capital projects within this program.
The recommended categories are as follows: 38 per cent for community outreach and support services, 31 per cent for emergency shelter solutions, 18 per cent housing assistance and 13 per cent for supportive housing.
This recommendation will go to a meeting of county council later this month.
In 2021-2022 Hastings County jointly operated overnight warming centres in the City of Belleville, City of Quinte West and Town of Bancroft.
All three warming centres were temperature activated (-10 C) and were located at Bridge Street United Church,
Trenton United Church and Bancroft Community Centre, then moving part way through the season to Flint Avenue, Bancroft.
The Belleville warming centre experienced 2,910 visits. There were 352 in Bancroft and 284 in the City of Quinte West.
The Community and Human Services committee is recommending that the county approve the proportional allocations across the service categories as follows:
|
Service Category |
Description |
Proportional Investment |
|
Community Outreach and Support Services |
Food Security Transportation Eviction Prevention Integrated Service Hubs |
38% |
|
Emergency Shelter Solutions |
After-Hours Program Warming Rooms Transitional Housing |
31% |
|
Housing Assistance |
Arrears and deposits to ensure housing retention |
18% |
|
Supportive Housing |
Home for Good |
13% |
