Chair of Hastings-Quinte Community and Human Services Chair Belleville Councillor Garnet Thompson and Director Erin Rivers, June 13, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
A new provincial program will help victims of violence obtain housing under a new Special Priority Program.
The program was outlined at a meeting of the Hastings-Quinte Community and Human Services Committee on Wednesday.
This benefit for social housing is different in that it allows the individual to move anywhere within Ontario, and not necessarily into a social housing unit within the person’s community.
It provides access to social housing for eligible individuals and families leaving abusive and violent situations, including survivors of domestic violence and survivors of human trafficking.
Executive Director Erin Rivers told the committee that it means they can go where family and friends’ support may be.
Rivers explained the person receiving these benefits would be taken off the social housing waiting list.
Rivers says anyone interested in the portable benefit can apply at the Community Services department.
Funding for the special program is available to eligible applicants across the province on a first-come first-serve basis.
The program will be re-evaluated in three years.
