Housing and support services for Sarnia-Lambton's homeless population are getting a $3.1 million boost from the Ontario government.
The announcement was made by Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark at the Good Shepherd's Lodge on Tuesday.
County Social Services General Manager Valerie Colasanti welcomes the annual money and said it will go toward a number of programs.
"Many of the dollars will go to the Inn of the Good Shepherd, and the lodge," said Colasanti. "Some of the other dollars go to our other homelessness prevention programs such as our Community Connectors in North Lambton, various food banks, rent utility programs, the Salvation Army and Red Cross for their transportation programs."
Colasanti said the funding was in doubt with the change in government.
"I think anytime there's a change in government, you don't know if they're going to continue on with the programs because they aren't base-funded they're annual. So, I think it's great that we're going to continue on, and the dollars remain the same. That's very good news," said Colasanti.
Sarnia is also getting $1.9 million in joint provincial and federal funding for the Vision expansion project on Wellington Street.
Expansion at Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia - July 23/19 (Blackburnnews.com photo by Josh Boyce)
Minister Clark said that will be a great benefit.
"It's a great opportunity to expand a great location here, and the fact that the provincial and federal governments are partnering sends a great message," said Clark.
The project will include 36 units, 19 of which are affordable housing apartments for seniors.
Clark said the provincial government has already given the county funding projections for the next few years so they can budget for different projects.
Lambton county's social services department has a $15.9 million budget for 2019.
The county provides $8,805,546 towards this budget which also includes $4 million for capital repairs to the existing housing stock.