February 8, 2005
For Immediate Release

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT BOOSTS HELP FOR HOMELESS IN KINGSTON
Government Addresses Shelter Shortfall And Tops Up Prevention Programs

KINGSTON - The McGuinty government is boosting support for essential services for people who are homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Kingston, John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and The Islands, confirmed today on behalf of Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello.

"Our long-term goal is to ensure that all Ontarians have access to safe, affordable housing," said Gerretsen. "But for some Kingston residents who are facing extreme hardship right now, it will be a comfort to them to know they can count on having shelter when they need it, especially during the coldest months of the year."

The government has provided an additional three per cent increase for the per diem rate for emergency homeless shelters and for the consolidated homelessness prevention program. For Kingston this means $1,558,404 will be allocated to these programs.

These initiatives:

• Move people off the street and into shelter
• Move people from emergency hostels to permanent housing
• Help people who are at risk of losing permanent housing by connecting them to community services, such as employment counseling, life-skills training and money management.

In addition to the three per cent increase, the government is providing another $2 million across the province to enhance homelessness prevention programs.

Domiciliary hostels, that provide longer term housing for people who have mental health issues, developmental disabilities or are frail and elderly, are included in the government's three per cent increase.

"Addressing the needs of our most vulnerable residents, including those who find themselves homeless, is important to this government, " said Gerretsen. "This is just one of the many ways that we are working to build healthy, sustainable communities."

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