GUELPH/WELLINGTON – One-time funding of about $630,000 aimed at helping unsheltered homeless people got 16 people into temporary housing.
A social services committee report outlines how the County of Wellington used the Winter 2023-24 Unsheltered Homelessness Response Funding, which is a $630,000 one-time funding given by the federal government in late 2023 to be used by the end of April.
The report says as of Feb. 22, 16 community members who were previously experiencing chronic homelessness and living unsheltered have moved into new temporary accommodations.
Earlier in Feb., a Wellington County social services official told GuelphToday some unhoused people were moved to temporary residences at Guelph hotels until the end of March. Depending on how long the funding lasts, this timeline could change.
The report says staff created an investment plan for the funding which includes: temporary expansion of shelter spaces, storage of belongings for up to three months, transportation, supplies, rent assistance and increased service availability.
“Staff estimate providing temporary shelter spaces will be the highest expenditure of this funding given the priority to ensure as many individuals as possible are supported to get out of the cold,” the report says.
This funding expires in April but the report notes staff are working with community partners to look at other housing options within the system.
The report will be going towards the social services committee at a meeting Wednesday afternoon in Guelph.
A full financial summary and data on how the funding was used is expected in June 2024.
