Norfolk supports homelessness prevention program

Kim Huffman

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

Councillors frustrated by provincial funding shortfall

Norfolk councillors are accepting $3.6 million through the Province’s Homelessness Prevention Program, though they’re also putting Queen’s Park on notice that municipalities like Norfolk need more support. Councillors approved a set of recommendations from Haldimand and Norfolk Housing and Social Services to accept the funding, a program allocation breakdown and to increase a per diem rate to $60 from $55. However, they also included a clause to send letters to the province expressing their displeasure over frozen funding amounts and are looking at opportunities to bring up the issue at this summer’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.

“The actual amount that we’re receiving hasn’t changed, this is the fourth year that we’re receiving that exact same amount of money,” said Louise Lovell, program manager for homelessness prevention services.

This year Norfolk taxpayer dollars were required to support the program, to the tune of just under $230,000.

“The 2026 budget is the first year in the program’s existence where levy support is required,” the staff report said.

Haldimand County also committed just under $120,000 in levy money.

A perceived lack of provincial support irked councillors.

“It’s not fair to the taxpayers, for the staff, and for the individuals that need this service,” said Coun. Kim Huffman, who temporarily gave up her position as chair of the June 23 meeting to put forward a motion to remove the levy dollars Norfolk had previously approved.

While it was too late to follow through on that, and Huffman withdrew her motion, it was clear councillors remain frustrated with the lack of support from upper levels of government.

“Really this is the Province’s problem and we’re just trying to solve it for them,” said Coun. Alan Duthie. “It’s really unfortunate that there isn’t an increase.”

Due to an embargo from the Province, funding specifics were not available at the meeting. However, there was a general breakdown into five categories that councillors approved: Emergency solutions ($1.13 million), housing assistance ($660,000), supportive housing ($580,000), community outreach and supports ($1 million), and administration ($180,000).

At the same meeting, councillors also accepted a report regarding funding for the Canada Ontario Community Housing Initiative and Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative, programs that support affordable housing efforts in the county. The totals for those programs are just under $1 million, and just over $330,000, respectively.

Councillors had similar concerns about a lack of support from upper levels of governments, supporting letters being written to voice those concerns.