An additional $2.6 million is coming to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB).
The money comes from the provincial government and is in response to an increase of COVID-19 cases in emergency shelters across the province.
DNSSAB chair, Mark King, says he was surprised to learn of the government’s investment, saying it gives the board some “breathing room”.
“This new funding announcement made [Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP] today, I can tell you, it’s tremendous news. It’s great that we’re going to be able to take a quick breath here and plan a little longer through the process,” he said.
King says the low-barrier shelter on Chippewa Street costs roughly $2 million annually to operate. Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services (NMHHSS) announced it will no longer operate the shelter effective May 1.
Crisis Centre North Bay will take over as its operator at that time, King confirmed.
“We think that’s a tremendous fit because we’ve had a long relationship with the crisis centre,” he said.
The Crisis Centre has been taking in overflow from the low-barrier shelter on a nightly basis.
This comes as the shelter will open 16 “transitional housing” beds at the same Chippewa Street site in the coming weeks. King says those beds will also help alleviate some of the overflow the Crisis Centre has been taking in.
Wednesday’s investment brings the total COVID-related funding to DNSSAB to $7,832,995.
“Our government recognizes that the pandemic has put financial pressures on homeless shelters with an increased demand of services,” said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. “We are continuing to work with our partners to ensure vulnerable people in our community are safe.”
