Additional funding helps keep vulnerable people safe in Ottawa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2021

OTTAWA —The Ontario government is providing $26,055,200 to help the City of Ottawa deliver critical services, create longer-term housing solutions and keep vulnerable people safe.

“This additional funding is great news for the people of Ottawa,” said Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton. “Our government continues to provide assistance to vital services that allow vulnerable populations and Indigenous communities more access to services like shelters, affordable housing, and service staff in my riding of Carleton and across Ottawa.”

Today’s announcement is part of the province’s additional $307 million investment to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners respond to COVID-19. This investment builds upon the $765 million of Social Services Relief Funding (SSRF) announced in 2020- 2021, for a total support to communities of over $1 billion.

“I am very pleased that this additional funding will make an important difference in helping municipalities and Indigenous community partners serve our most vulnerable,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton. “From critical services, such as building affordable housing, to preparing for future outbreaks, our government continues to take action to support our community in Kanata-Carleton.”

“Municipalities have been on the frontlines of Ontario’s pandemic response and vaccine rollout, while continuing to protect our most vulnerable populations, including homeless populations,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is committed to ensuring municipalities have the resources they need to keep their communities safe, and today’s funding will help our local partners deliver critical services, support vulnerable people, and unlock affordable housing in their communities.”

“Today’s additional funding through the Social Services Relief Fund will help serve and support Ottawa’s most vulnerable populations,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries and Nepean MPP. “The $26 million in funding will directly lead to more affordable housing, better protection for homeless shelter staff and residents and work to prevent future COVID-19 outbreaks.”

“This announcement is welcome news for our social services sector as they recover from the worst of the pandemic.” Said Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West – Nepean. “The relief funding will help provide support and certainty to our social services partners, allowing them to continue to play an important role in our communities.”

Municipalities and Indigenous community partners can use the funding to protect homeless shelter staff and residents, add to rent banks, build affordable housing, and support plans to prepare for potential future outbreaks and/or emergencies.

QUICK FACTS

  • 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.
  • Today’s province-wide investment includes $21 million of funding under the previously announced Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) that is being allocated to help support community housing.
  • As part of its Community Housing Renewal Strategy and response to COVID-19, Ontario is investing approximately $1.3 billion in 2021-2022 to help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness. This includes the Social Services Relief Fund.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Candice Coates, Executive Assistant
Office of Goldie Ghamari, MPP
candice.coates@pc.ola.org
613-257-9522

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