The Ontario government said it will provide funding for emergency shelters in London and St. Thomas that will help prevent staff and residents from getting COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the province announced $255-million will be invested in municipalities where social services are dealing with increasing numbers and outbreaks of the virus. London will be allocated $5,567,813 while St. Thomas is set to receive $1,525,174.
"This lifesaving funding is being used for a range of innovative and inspiring initiatives that ensures everyone has a safe place to call home during these challenging times," said Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek in a release.
The province says municipal service managers and Indigenous program partners can spend the funding on motel and hotel spaces to support physical distancing of shelter residents. It can also hire more staff, buy personal protective equipment, and cleaning supplies. The money can also be spent on rent and utility banks to prevent more people from becoming homeless.
"With new COVID-19 variants of concern now in Ontario, there is an increased risk of spread to vulnerable people," said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "That is why in addition to new funding, we recently directed service managers to attest that outbreak management plans in all emergency shelter facilities have been updated per IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control) guidance, to report any gaps in IPAC requirements and planned next steps, and to be transparent about the use of new and existing Social Services Relief Fund spending."
The funding is being made through the Social Services Relief Fund, launched by the province last year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ontario has provided $765 million to support shelters and help create longer-term housing solutions for vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19. Both London and St. Thomas have already received over $14 million in funding collectively.
