Protecting Homeless Shelters During COVID-19

Additional funding will help keep vulnerable people and shelter workers safe

Our PC government is once again taking immediate action to save lives by responding to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in some shelters across the province.

The government is providing $255 million to help Service managers/Indigenous program administrators respond to an increase in COVID-19 cases in some emergency shelters and help keep vulnerable people safe. This investment will provide our municipal service managers with the financial ability to take any means necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19 in shelter spaces. It will also protect homeless shelter staff and residents and help prevent more people from becoming homeless.

Municipal service managers and Indigenous program partners can use the funding to acquire motel and hotel spaces to support physical distancing of shelter residents, hire more shelter staff, purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, and add to rent and utility banks to prevent more people from becoming homeless.

Under the Social Services Relief Fund, Ontario has provided $765 million to help service managers and Indigenous program partners support shelters, create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians affected by COVID-19, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.