Hardeman Announces Funding for Oxford County

Tuesday, 27 October 2020 at 17:14

Oxford County is getting $903,834 in social services relief funding from the Province to support emergency shelter overflow through hotel rooms, rent supplements and rent relief.

WOODSTOCK - Oxford County is getting $903,834 in social services relief funding from the Province to support emergency shelter overflow through hotel rooms, rent supplements and rent relief.

The money is coming from the Provincial Government and is part of $241 million allocated to municipalities and Indigenous community partners to help protect the province's most vulnerable from COVID-19, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Local MPP Ernie Hardeman says some of the money will be used to retrofit existing shelters to increase capacity.

"Our government is investing in important projects like this to help protect our most vulnerable citizens from COVID-19. We're working hand in hand with our partners to make sure they have the tools and flexibility they need to keep people safe."

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steven Clark says 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. 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.