Fears in northern Ont. as cuts to homeless funding would affect front-line workers
Social services agencies across the north are sounding the alarm after funding cuts on homelessness programs were recently published.
The cuts range from 50 to 70 per cent in the north, as the federal government’s Reaching Home program ends in two years.
Service providers in North Bay said they are shocked.
“At a time when the federal government has a mandate to end chronic homelessness in the country, it is quite a shocking blow to our funding to have that funding cut by 58 per cent during a housing crisis,” said Stephanie Hopkin, chair of the Sault Ste. Marie District Social Services Board.
Hopkin said the end of the program will mean that five outreach worker positions from the Canadian Mental Health Association and John Howard Society will be eliminated.
There are between eight and 10 of these positions currently funded by the social services board.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
“Some of these workers are caseworkers that work directly with getting people housed or keeping people housed in the community,” Hopkin said.
“Some of them focus specifically on Aboriginal clients who are experiencing homelessness in Sault Ste. Marie, and some of them work with those who are experiencing homelessness and also experience mental health and addictions in Sault Ste. Marie.”
The 11 northern social service boards got together to ask the federal government to change course -- or at least match the provincial funding for the next three years.
But in the three months since the request was made, the boards have not received a response.
“At least we have that two-year runway to do the advocacy piece and see what we can do here internally to absorb,” Hopkin said
“But it will have a direct impact on our service delivery if it is not adjusted in the next couple of years.”
CTV News contacted the federal Ministry of Housing for a response on the cuts, but did not receive a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating singer Cassie in hotel hallway in 2016
Security video aired by CNN appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Scottie Scheffler isn't the first pro golfer to be arrested during a tournament
Scottie Scheffler's arrest hours before his second-round tee time at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, will go down as one of the most shocking in professional golf history. It certainly wasn't the first, though.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta border: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Anglers reel in 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off coast of Florida: 'She found my bait'
A group of fishers said it took roughly 20 minutes to reel in this 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off the coast of Florida.
Canadian convicted of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years
The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.