MISSISSAUGA —Today, Nina Tangri, MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville announced that Peel Region will receive an additional $5,669,000 in social services relief funding. The discretionary funding can be used to improve the delivery of critical services, protect homeless shelter staff and residents, renovate and purchase shelter facilities, add to rent banks, create longer-term housing solutions and support plans to prepare for potential future outbreaks and/or emergencies.
“Our government is responding to the ongoing needs of COVID-19 by providing more flexible funding to keep our vulnerable citizens safe,” said MPP Tangri. “We know that COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of having a place to call home, and this additional funding will help ensure everyone can find – and keep – a safe and secure roof over their head.”
The Ontario government is allocating an additional $120 million across the province to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners protect vulnerable people during COVID-19. This investment builds upon the second phase of social services relief funding announced this fall.
“Our government continues to respond to the pandemic with significant investments for our municipal and Indigenous partners,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “As the public health situation continues to evolve, we are providing more support, so our partners are in a better position to protect those who need it most.”
“Responding to COVID-19 and protecting lives requires the whole community working together, which means we need to be there for the vulnerable people who experience the health, social and economic impacts most acutely,” said Nando Iannicca, Regional Chair and CEO of the Regional Municipality of Peel. “Since the pandemic began, the Province has provided timely and valuable support that has helped Peel respond to the human needs that have been exacerbated by this crisis and we look forward to continuing these partnerships through to recovery.”
Today’s announcement is part of the government’s $510 million investment through the Social Services Relief Fund to help protect the health and safety of vulnerable people across the province.
“I am thrilled that our government is taking further action to defeat COVID-19 and keep our communities safe,” said Amarjot Sandhu, MPP for Brampton West. “This pandemic has demonstrated that we must take every measure to protect our most vulnerable people, and Ontario is ensuring that we do so with this additional flexible funding.”
While Natalia Kusendova, MPP for Mississauga-Centre said “”This announcement of over twenty-one million dollars to support critical social services in the Region of Peel is news welcomed by our community. “This funding will ensure that the most vulnerable persons in Peel will be protected no matter how the evolving public health situation changes. The government of Ontario remains committed to sparing no expense to protect the people of Ontario.”
Rudy Cuzzetto, MPP for Mississauga Lakeshore said, “As the public health situation continues to evolve, today’s announcement builds on the Province’s previous commitments for social services relief, bringing our total funding to the Region of Peel to over $21.4 million. This will help support our local community organizations, and our most vulnerable people at this very challenging time, and also ensure that we are well prepared for any potential future outbreaks.”
