Hastings County Requests Re-Allocation of Funds to Support Maggie’s Resource Centre in Bancroft
Categories: Alerts/Notices, Community and Human Services
Posted On: February 9, 2022
Today, Hastings County Joint Community and Human Services Committee recommended to Hastings County Council that staff request that $500,000 allocated to a proposed 8-bed shelter/transitional bed complex to be located in Bancroft, Ontario, be re-allocated to Maggie’s Resource Centre in the Town to support the creation of five (5) transitional housing units for victims of family violence.
The funding was originally awarded to Hastings County by the Federal Government’s Reaching Home Rural and Remote funding program. A Request for Proposal was released, with 3 bids being received, all of which were over the budgeted cost for the construction of the proposed 8-bed shelter project. Recognizing the capital cost of the proposed project were over budget, and the critical need for emergency housing in North Hastings, the Committee recommended to County Council that the capital funding be re-allocated to create five (5) new transitional units for women and children facing domestic violence in the community where presently none of these resources exist.
The Joint Committee also recommended that County Council approve staff planning for a supportive housing development in North Hastings similar to the very successful Home for Good project located in Belleville, Ontario. The supportive housing model provides on-site wrap around services to tenants by the agencies they are already engaged with, and who are providing supports to them. This enables tenants the stability and support needed as they transition from homelessness to a stable housing environment.
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“We need both the Provincial and Federal Governments to come to the table with funding for both the capital and operational costs to run these supportive housing programs. We have seen firsthand how these models can ensure that individuals continue to receive the critical supports they need to transition to long term tenancy,” said Warden Rick Phillips. “Sustainable funding for municipally owned housing is absolutely critical if municipalities are going to be able to provide the right type housing for individuals who need it the most,” he added. We recently met with our local MPs and MPPs to discuss the issue of ongoing funding to address the housing need and they voiced their commitment in assisting us with this effort.”
“The need for transitional housing in North Hastings is critical and although the capital funding falls short of the costs to build the proposed shelter, the Joint Committee strongly feels that the funding allocation should be re-directed in support of other critical needs within North Hastings, added Deputy Warden and Chair of the Community and Human Services Committee Bonnie Adams.
“The Town of Bancroft welcomes the support of Maggie’s Resource Centre to provide crisis housing for victims of domestic violence and we are pleased to support Hastings County’s efforts to build a supportive housing model within the Town to help address homelessness in our community,” said Mayor Paul Jenkins, Town of Bancroft.
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For more information contact:
Rick Phillips, Warden
613-922-6473
warden@hastingscounty.com
Suzanne Ritchie Raymond, Director
613-66-1311 ext 2333
Ritchieraymonds@hastingscounty.com