The fund is available to all municipalities. The maximum amount available to a municipality is equal to 5 per cent of its 1999 gross spending on emergency hostels. It is up to municipalities to request the money. The province is providing a 10 per cent increase to the maximum amount it provides to municipalities for them to operate their emergency shelters. The increase should help emergency hostels to upgrade, improving safety and reducing crowding.
Emergency hostels provide basic accommodation and meal services to people without shelter.
Some hostels serve single adults, some serve families. When existing hostel accommodation approaches capacity, municipalities may set up temporary beds in churches or public buildings and the province funds 80 per cent of the costs of these spaces as well, up to the maximum per diem. The increased funding will help home operators to better respond to the increased care needs of residents within their homes. Domiciliary hostels are permanent residences for people with special needs. The hostels are owned by private operators who enter into agreements with the municipality and receive a per diem to provide residents with permanent accommodation and some supports to daily living.