By Jeff Gard/Northumberland 89.7

Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini announced Friday morning in Cobourg the Ontario government is investing $2 million in the Homelessness Prevention Program in Northumberland County.

A larger gathering of politicians and social services partners were on hand for the announcement at the County building.

“Today the Government of Ontario is sending a signal that we hear people,” Piccini told Northumberland 89.7. “This is a housing-supply crisis that we’re in and we’re addressing it, but also looking after the most vulnerable in our community, those at risk or currently experiencing homelessness. This announcement is an increase of almost 50 per cent to our social service provider Northumberland County.

“We’re working in partnership to address this because we understand for us to be a thriving community it means looking after the most vulnerable in our community, giving them a leg up, giving them access to the supportive services, jobs that they need and that’s what today means. Today sends a strong message that we hear you and that we’re working together - all levels of government - to help those in need.”  

Piccini said the new funding, which is supported through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housings, will be an annual investment. Across the province the government is investing $202 million annually in homelessness prevention to help those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Northumberland’s increase in funding is significant, the MPP said. 

“This is a larger increase than the average across Ontario which signals the growth that our community is experiencing and signals the recognition, I think, I’ve long said this, I’ve felt rural Ontario was ignored by previous governments. We’re growing and we recognize that as a growing community we deserve the attention and support of your government…and we’re doing just that with this historic funding.”

With the increased funding, Northumberland County can invest in additional shelter space, increase additional street outreach resources to those who are unsheltered and create a new Housing Stability Program. The program will provide long-term rent relief measures to eligible households to support preventative measures and address housing affordability.

Northumberland County Warden Mandy Martin, who is also mayor of Cramahe Township, said the nearly 50 per cent increase will have an immediate impact in this region just in terms of attitudes, collaborations and possibilities and specifically mentioned mental health supports at Northumberland Hills Hospital.

“It just opens up the window and we can start planning and considering,” Martin said. “Our immediate action, first, was to hire the second person to be on the frontline at the Cobourg hospital for counselling and intake and so on. That addresses an immediate need with a high visibility problem and a very real health need - drug addiction and mental health services - so that’s fabulous as far as I’m concerned and then we address the other aspects of homelessness and need through other programs. The funding is amazing…it just gives us that leverage. It also means it will grow exponentially as you draw people in. Money attracts money, possibility attracts possibility and that’s what this is - it’s a kickstart.”

In April, Port Hope council supported a motion from Councillor Claire Holloway Wadhwani and deputy Mayor Todd Attridge to declare housing a fundamental human right and also supported a further motion, led by Mayor Olena Hankivsky, for the creation of a housing committee. 

Friday’s announcement was welcome news to Mayor Hankivsky.

“I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction. We know that we’ve got a shortfall across the entire housing continuum so I’m really hoping that this investment into the County also obviously trickles to Port Hope and allows us to meet some of our increasing housing demands,” Mayor Hankivsky said. “I’m very grateful to Councillor Claire and our Deputy Mayor Todd for bringing forward a motion so that we could make the declaration saying that we do support the UN declaration on housing as a human right and having been at a homelessness symposium a couple weeks ago that was put on by the AMO, we also know that municipalities have to play an active role. The lanes are really shifting and changing and it’s going to require that kind of partnership across different sectors, across different levels of government and municipalities do have a role and that’s why we’re signaling the beginning of a new housing committee for our municipality.”