Despite a determined effort by Belleville councillor Garnet Thompson there likely will not be a special effort by Hastings County staff to find funding to continue the Welcoming Streets program in Belleville’s Downtown District.
Wednesday the county’s Community and Human Services Committee recommended county council approve grants totalling $2.3 million to 22 community agencies whose programs focused on housing issues.
Ten agencies, including Welcoming Streets, did not receive funding but Hastings County Warden Bob Mullin said they’ll never please everyone.
“There’s never going to be enough funds to meet all of the needs. But the groups, as the report suggests, will be eligible to look for other funding sources in the county when that funding becomes available.”
Belleville council is currently funding Welcoming Streets which is a two-person team helping vulnerable people in the downtown find services and often counselling them on the spot. The program has been deemed a success by the Downtown District BIA and the Belleville Police Service.
Twenty-nine organizations asked Hastings County for financial support totalling $6.7 million. There was just $2.3 million available to distribute.
Hastings County staff had to make difficult decisions as they ranked applications using a number of criteria.
