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Independent & Free Press (Georgetown, ON), p. 4

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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 5, 20 20 | 4 Quantities are limited. While supplies last. LEATHERTOWN LUMBER $8.99WAS: $12.99 20-Oz. Great Stuff Pro Window & Door Sealant Minimally expanding foam that seals gaps between a window or door and its rough opening. 3352135 $19.99 WAS: $29.99 Round Point Shovel Heavy-duty 30" steel handle with D-grip. 5261730 $14.99WAS: $24.99 24-In. Indoor/Outdoor Push Broom Soft & stiff fibers for sweeping dirt & debris as well as patios, driveways etc. 54" handle with threaded metal tip. 5213574 www.leathertownlumber.ca FULL-SERVICE RETIREMENT HOME 905-877-1800 222 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown www.mountainviewresidence.com Seniors enjoy an independent lifestyle with comfortable accommodations, personal care and other supportive services. Retirement living can be the best of times when you live in an atmosphere of comfort and family caring. Mountainview Residence Of Georgetown the difference in the world," she said, noting there's long been an issue of local homeless youth not wanting to travel to the Oakville shelter as it takes them away from their com- munity and supports. "There is a need, and it's great that it's finally hap- pening." The sentiment was ech- oed by Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. "I'm very delighted to see the investment in youth accommodations in Acton," he said. For local residents con- cerned about homeless- ness in their community, like Georgetown's Eric Doubt, Support and Hous- ing Halton's plans come as welcome news. "If housing and sup- ports, not only shelter, can be provided for youths who don't have the stability of a normal home life, their fu- tures can be more secure and self-sustaining and the whole community is stron- ger," he told the Indepen- dent. The funding decision came as part of a larger ap- proval by council on how it will spend both provincial and federal dollars it re- ceives for homelessness prevention. For the 2020-2021 period, Halton has been allocated $6.5 million from the prov- ince and $755,000 in federal funds, with the region top- ping up the latter with $400,000 approved in the 2020 budget. Of the $6.5 million, al- most $2.3 million will be used for emergency shelter solutions across Halton, $1.8 million will go towards housing with related sup- ports for residents, $1.4 million will be used for homelessness prevention, while the remainder will fund other services, sup- ports and administration. On the federal funding side, the money will be div- vied up between seven community agencies that help prevent homeless- ness, including Support and Housing Halton's five beds in Acton. According to a report from Halton Commission- er of Social and Communi- ty Services Alex Sarchuk, the demand for homeless- ness prevention services increased last year, with 107 more Halton house- holds receiving eviction prevention support and as- sistance with rapidly se- curing new housing with clean beds and furniture. "Six-month followups demonstrate that an aver- age of 92 per cent of clients contacted continue to re- tain their housing after re- ceiving a homelessness prevention intervention," he reported to council. Fogal said the docu- ment is timely as this is the first year that Halton Hills has had visible homeless- ness in the community. "People just can't be- lieve a community as wealthy as ours would have someone sleeping on a bench in a park," she said, noting she's received sever- al calls from concerned residents and is aware that people are stepping up with offers to help. On a recent day when the temperatures plum- meted, Fogal said she called Halton's 311 govern- ment services line to ask if someone could check on the homeless individual, but she wasn't referred along to Halton Housing Help as expected and was instead transferred to the Halton Regional Police non-emergency line. Sarchuk assured her that the deficiencies in in- formation available to 311 staff have been addressed. He explained that in this instance of homeless- ness in Halton Hills, the in- dividual is resistant to ac- cepting services, but his staff has done extensive outreach to ensure they're aware of the supports available to them. "We need to be respect- ful of people's individual choices regarding this," he said. For more information visit halton.ca and click on 'For Residents,' then 'Hous- ing Supports and Services.' STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With homelessness becoming more visible in Halton Hills, we continue to follow all aspects of this important issue. COUNCIL Continued from page 1 DEMAND FOR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION SERVICES ON THE RISE "People just can't believe a community as wealthy as ours would have someone sleeping on a bench in a park." - Coun. Jane Fogal SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA

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