NEWS RELEASE
ANDREA KHANJIN, BARRIE-INNISFIL MPP
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The Ontario government is providing $4,681,700 to help the County of Simcoe deliver critical services, create longer-term housing solutions and keep vulnerable people safe.
“We are committed to ensuring that Simcoe County has the resources they need to continue to keep our local communities safe,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil."
“We thank the government of Ontario for investing in Simcoe County and providing further assistance to support our most vulnerable residents,” said County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell.
Since 2014, the County of Simcoe, working with area partners and other levels of government, has supported the creation of more than 2,300 new community housing units in Simcoe County, while assisting and investing in our shelter system and other transitional housing projects.
The pandemic has brought on new challenges and increased demand for attainable housing, and we’re grateful for the continued support of our area MPPs, the Ministry and Province as we all work towards keeping our residents safe.”
“The government is ensuring municipalities have the funding to provide and deliver residents with the critical supports and services they need,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North.
“By investing over $4.6 million in Simcoe County, we are ensuring our community has access to supports that will help them create longer-term housing solutions and deliver essential services to keep our most vulnerable people and families safe.”
Today’s announcement is part of the province’s additional $307 million investment to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners respond to COVID-19. This investment builds upon the $765 million dollars of Social Services Relief Funding (SSRF) announced in 2020- 2021, for a total support to communities of over $1 billion.
“This funding will help provide Simcoe County with the supports needed to keep our communities safe and continue to help protect the vulnerable people within our society,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte.
“As we all know, our municipalities have been on the frontlines of our pandemic response. This funding will help to support these municipalities as they continue to deliver critical services and unlock affordable housing in Simcoe County.”
“Through the Social Services Relief Fund, we delivered critical funding to social service providers to ensure supports were there for vulnerable people”, said Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York-Simcoe. “With this new round of funding, municipal service managers will be able to deliver additional services to more people in need.”
Municipalities and Indigenous community partners can use the funding to protect homeless shelter staff and residents, add to rent banks, build affordable housing, and support plans to prepare for potential future outbreaks and/or emergencies.
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