NEWS RELEASE
CHRISTINE ELLIOTT, MPP, NEWMARKET-AURORA
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The Ontario government is providing nearly $5 million to the Regional Municipality of York to help protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
This funding can be used by municipalities and social service providers such as homeless shelters, food banks, emergency services, charities and non-profits to support delivery of critical services, hire additional staff, acquire more personal protective equipment, and find ways to promote social distancing and self-isolation to keep people safe and healthy. York Region will determine how this funding is distributed locally to provide people in the community with the support they need.
“We are acting quickly to support those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless during this unprecedented time,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This funding is going straight to communities, who know best what the immediate needs are on the ground.”
“During this unprecedented time, our government is ensuring we support York Region’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 outbreak with nearly $5 million in funding,” said Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “This funding will provide relief for our homeless shelters, food banks and emergency services so they can continue to deliver essential services in a safe and healthy way.”
This money is part of Ontario’s $200 million services relief funding to help protect the province's most vulnerable people. The province is also providing $148 million to local service managers and Indigenous program administrators all across Ontario to give them flexibility to expand the key services they already offer to meet their local needs. For example, this funding could be used for emergency loans for people having a hard time paying rent. It is up to communities to respond to local needs.
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