A new investment plan for the funding received from the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) was approved at the Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services (PELASS) Committee meeting June 8.
With more than twice the amount of funding they had last year, the committee will decide where to allocate funds. On May 1, it was announced that PELASS will be receiving $2,454,600 in funding from the HPP. The HPP is intended to prevent, address and reduce homelessness within communities. This funding is an increase of $1,363,300 from last year.
Under the new program, staff will be able to re-allocate program funds in response to local needs. Scott Robertson, manager of Social Services, presented the new investment plan for the region and spoke about the new budget.
Robertson noted how the funding makes a big impact on how helpful their services can be.
"We use this funding for a huge number of initiatives. A big one is preventing homelessness in the first place, because if you can prevent homeless, then it doesn't happen; it's great," said Roberston.
Through the HPP, PELASS will be able to prioritize strategies and initiatives to prevent and reduce homelessness throughout 2023 and into the winter months of 2024. The HPP funding will provide supports in both counties and will consider the cost sharing agreement between the two counties.
PELASS is finalizing a Homelessness Action Plan that should be before committee at their next meeting on Sept. 7. Two of the most pressing issues are to improve coordination of homelessness services, and to improve communication between resources addressing homelessness. Staff has said they will continue to work with all community partners to identify potential long-term solutions to mitigate homelessness.
In partnership with the Salvation Army in Picton, and the Lennox & Addington Interval House, the HPP will continue offering emergency stays through local hotels and motels, as has been supported in previous years. And $200,000 was also set aside to support local warming centers for the 2023/2024 winter months.
A call for proposals will be issued to the community to determine potential partner agencies that the funding can be used towards.
Hear the CJAI story below: