New social service relief, community housing funding available in Bruce County

BRUCE COUNTY – At the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) conference on Monday, Aug. 16, the Ontario government announced $307 million in provincewide, fourth and final phase funding from the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF), as well as additional funding from the Canada Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI).

Bruce County will receive $978,500 from the Ontario government’s SSRF in phase four. This additional SSRF funding supports operating and capital expenses to mitigate the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who are homeless.

“This final phase of the SSRF funding will enable Bruce County to continue to support the vital services that we established to address the impacts of the COVID-19 on our most vulnerable residents,” said Christine MacDonald, Bruce County’s director of human services. “County staff will be drafting an investment and wind-down plan for committee review in September to ensure an orderly and effective conclusion for these provincial SSRF supports.”

Bruce County also receives an additional $72,700 from the Ontario government’s Canada Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI). This additional COCHI funding supports continuing challenges faced by community housing providers in Bruce County, including ongoing capital repairs. Bruce County’s human services committee will review and co-ordinate an agreement amendment for COCHI in September.