Image: Huron County Courthouse
Huron County Council has approved shelter allowances as a part of the county’s new Bridge Housing and Stability Program to assist people experiencing homelessness with securing housing.
Council discussed the overall cost of entering into the new agreement, which is a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association of Huron Perth’s Addiction and Mental Health Services.
The new agreement starts on November 1st of this year and lasts until December 31, 2025.
Members of council voiced their concern over the amount, which is taxpayer-funded, and said that they felt the province should be involved with the funding instead.
Through a recorded vote, council supported the initial agreement by majority rule. Those who voted in favour of the agreement did so because they felt the benefit of helping the chronically unhoused members of the population transitioning into housing outweighed the financial cost to the county.
With the ratification of the agreement, the county is going to have a rent subsidy program for those who need help getting into the private housing market.