Bruce County has detailed what they’re calling “constructive” steps toward solving housing and homelessness issues in the county.
On the Bruce County website, the county has outlined what was shown to council in the 2021 Housing & Homelessness Plan progress report. That is an annual update that “highlights the progress made by Bruce County’s Human Services department in 2021 and what is to come in 2022.” The county says 2021 highlights included:
- The new Penetangore Place in Kincardine was completed and now houses 35 residents in affordable rental units.
- Homelessness Enumeration was completed in October 2021 and offered a point-in-time snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness in Bruce County.
- A Homelessness Response Coordinator was hired to the lead the Grey Bruce Homelessness Response Steering Committee and develop a By-Name List which is a real-time list of all residents who are homeless.
- M’Wikwedong’s Giiwe project, which explores Indigenous homelessness, was supported by Bruce County Human Services.
2022 highlights for the county include:
- Phase 1 of the Affordable Housing Development Toolkit was completed and shared with developers, highlighting the context for affordable housing creation in Bruce County and its local municipalities.
- 42 applicants were added to the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit program in 2022.
- Bruce County is developing a Housing Demographic Study for the end of 2022.
- Bruce County is working on a Municipal Housing Allowance for September 1, 2022.
- Phase 2 of the Affordable Housing Development Toolkit will be released in the Fall of 2022.
The Housing & Homelessness Plan Progress Report can be viewed on the Bruce County website.
“While Bruce County is home to many thriving, vibrant communities, there is still work to be done to ensure the provision of safe, affordable, and suitable housing for all,” says Christine MacDonald, Director of Human Services.
“Bruce County is committed to planning, delivering, and advocating for responsive services that help individuals and families enhance their level of participation and quality of life in our communities. Bruce County strives to provide accessible services that remove barriers and create opportunities,” says Bruce County Warden Janice Jackson.
Read original story from Midwestern Ontario News – BlackburnNews.com