Hastings County has approved $1,895,681.04 in funding for the 2025 Homelessness Prevention Program.
During Thursday’s meeting of council, councillors reviewed the proposed funding levels presented to them by staff. Staff previously presented the funding breakdown to the Community and Human Services Committee, who recommended council accept the funding as presented. No changes were made to the funding breakdown from when it was previously presented.
Some of the notable initiatives receiving funding are $39,675 for Three Oaks to replace an aging HVAC system in their transitional housing building, $600,000 for Grace Inn to purchase a house to set up an eight-unit supportive transitional home for women, and $181,000 to Next Step Housing Connection to fund a full-time case manager position and rent supplements for people in need.
Discussing the funding allotments, Councillor Don Degenova, Mayor of Tweed, said it is concerning that a large number of seniors are forced to use food banks.
“We had a meeting the other day with the food bank in Tweed, and I was shocked to hear at that time at least 50% of the people that access the food bank are seniors,” said Councillor DeGenova. “I think it’s only going to get worse before it’s going to get better.”
A full breakdown of the capital and community allocation funding can be found below.
