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2 1 1Thursday, February 11, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER Hatton Region to boost 15 Syrian refugee families by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff A transitional housing program to help 15 Syr ian refugee individuals or fomilies settle in Halton has received support from Halton Regional councils health and social services committee. At its meeting Tuesday (Feb. 9), councillors approved staff recommendations to support the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC) Transi tional Housing Program for Refugee Settlement. It aims to assist 15 refugee individuals or families up to two years between April 2016 and March 2018. If approved by Regional council next Wednes day (Feb. 17), eligibility will be restricted to refu gees who arrived in Halton after Nov 1,2015 and who are included as part of the federal govern m en t commitment" to bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, according to a related report Government-sponsored refugees will be able to access the program while under federal spon sorship to bridge the difference between the fed eral shelter allowance and market rent. "Privately-sponsored refugees will only be able to access the program once all sponsor obli gations have concluded," the report notes. The program will receive up to $300,000 over 24 months. It will be funded through the Social and Community Services Department operating budget and delivered by HMC, a community-based setdement agency that pro vides a variety of programs and services to im- migrants and refu gees. The report states HMC is the most appropriate delivery agent for the program be cause its mandate includes a range of newcomer re settlement services, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, as Jeff Knoll sistance in apply ing for government programs, employment supports, and more. "Further, HMC currendy delivers a transi tional housing program for newcomers on be half of the Region," the report states. "The new program builds on this success and leverages the core services that HMC offers newcomers." Syrian refugees, both government- and privatesponsored refugees, will also be able to apply for the SPLIT (Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit) pass, which in the past only subsidized the cost of a monthly bus pass for low-income Halton high school students, adults and seniors. Halton Housing Help (HHH) will be made available to help HMC locate units in Halton, the report states. Regional assistance for last month' s rent and furniture acquisition will be available through the Housing Stability Fund, as needed. Halton Region will also request recovery of the program expenditures from the federal gov ernment. During discussion, a number of councillors spoke in support of the program. Burlington Councillor Marianne Meed Ward said she' s proud to be part of a community that has been able to sponsor 50 families -- 14 al ready here and 36 coming across the region. Oakville Councillor Sean O' Meara stressed how important it was to get "these supports right in die first six months, first year. "16 vital not just to the refugees that are here, but their children' s success and how we move forward," he said. Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll commended HMC on its role in helping newcomers setde in Canada. He also thanked Regional staff for tak ing leadership in the program. "I know in all the demands, particularly in the social service sector, ife very difficult to carve out time and resources for any new projects to come along, so thank you for being creative and thank you for having beart to do this." For more on eligibility, view the report on halton.ca by visiting Regional Council & Adminis tration tab and clicking on the agendas, minutes and video link. | www.insideHALT0N.com bOniTfl Aut hent i c* Mexican* Cuisine $10 OFF Purchase an entree & receive $10 off a 2nd entree. > Not to be combined with any other offer. One coupon per table, no facsimile Coupons, valid Tuesday to Thursday and Sundays only, Expires Feb 29th, 2016 Kids under 12yrs Eat for FREE Every Tuesday 151 Lakeshore Rd. E. 905 849-1777 - Cali for reservations www.mariabonitaeakville.com AGES U4- House L eague Developm ent Program use R e g istra tio n L e a g u e w it h a K IC K ! T a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h is f a n t a s t ic NOW OPEN S IG N U P E A R L Y T O G U A R A N T E E Y O U R SPOT! P L A Y E R D E V E L O P M E N T O P P O R T U N IT Y W H IC H F E A T U R E S O N E W E E K L Y S C H E D U L E D P R A C T IC E W IT H A C E R T IF IE D C O A C H IN A D D IT IO N T O ONE W EEKLY GAM E. R e g is t e r t o d a y - s p a c e s a r e l im it e d ! A v a il a b l e t o p l a y e r s a g e s P ric e s in c re a s e Feb. 2 2 n d ! wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmtJL V IS IT W W W .O A K V IL L E S O C C E R .C A F O R M O R E IN F O R M A T IO N A N D T O R E G IS T E R