WELLINGTON COUNTY – Social service agencies in the county will receive another round of provincial funding to help the area’s most vulnerable residents through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ontario government announced on March 11 it is providing the County of Wellington with nearly $2.7 million from its Social Services Relief Fund.
Building on previously announced funding, the new funding brings to over $8 million the total directed to service providers in Wellington County.
The funding is intended to protect homeless shelter staff and residents and help prevent more people from becoming homeless, states a press release from Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.
“I’m pleased to see more social services funding coming to our riding,” said Pettapiece, noting county staff “do outstanding work in supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark stated, “Our government is once again taking immediate action to save lives by responding to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in some emergency shelters across the province.
He added, “This investment will ensure our municipal service managers can keep vulnerable people and shelter workers safe by providing them with the financial ability to take any means necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19 in shelter spaces.”
From the Social Services Relief Fund, Ontario has provided $765 million to help service managers and Indigenous program partners support shelters, create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians affected by COVID-19, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
