The province provides funding through the Redirection of Emergency Hostel Funding initiative to municipalities for preventive programs designed to help people stay in housing and out of hostels. Clients receive life-skills training such as help with money management and help with getting connected to appropriate community services. Allowable costs under the program include last month's rent and utility deposits, moving costs and furnishings. This program is operated by the Ontario Multi-Faith Council and began operation in October 1999. A 10 per cent increase to the maximum per diem took effect January 1, 2001.
Emergency hostels provide basic accommodation and meal services to people without shelter.
The province funds, at 80 per cent of a set per diem, every emergency hostel space that a municipality puts into place. There is no limit to the number of hostel spaces that this funding can support. In December 2000, Ontario also announced increases in the per diem for domiciliary hostels and supportive housing programs for people with special needs related to mental health. This information is provided as a public service, but we cannot guarantee that the information is current or accurate. Readers should verify the information before acting on it.