seek clarification and/or additional information from the Service Managers during the review process.

The following ministries will take part in an inter-ministerial working group to review the business cases along with MMAH:

• Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG); Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS); Ministry of the Solicitor General (SOLGEN); Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS); Ministry of Health (MOH); Ministry of Indigenous Affairs (IAO); and Infrastructure Ontario (IO).

The business cases should aim to demonstrate how SSRF Phase 2 funding will be used to respond to local needs related to COVID-19 and include details on how the plan addresses the following criteria:

• Supports public health guidance and promotes resiliency in the event of future outbreak waves;

• Meets the short-term critical and diverse needs of various communities (e.g., Indigenous communities, clients discharged from correctional facilities, youth, seniors, those at risk of homelessness who require rent assistance and other vulnerable population groups);

• Aligns with broader service systems (e.g., emergency shelters and unsheltered needs such as encampments; supportive and transitional housing; discharge planning from correctional facilities to avoid homelessness; Violence Against Women and victim services systems);

• Aligns with the communities’ long-term housing and homelessness goals, including building resiliency within their system to advance permanent housing solutions to homelessness or those at risk of homelessness;

• Supports renter households (e.g., rental assistance), who may be in rental arrears and at a high risk of becoming homeless; and

• Considers uptake of initial SSRF funding.

Service Managers are encouraged to use a variety of information sources in completing their business cases, such as: independent research; Council and Board reports; strategic planning documents; media reports; anticipated cashflow requirements; and COVID-19 data, guidelines, and enforcement requirements issued from local public health units, as appropriate.

1.4 Program Administration and Flexibility

Service Managers will determine local needs and distribute the funding consistent with approved business cases, ensuring people are receiving the support they need.

There will be no requirement for a minimum or maximum amount of capital and/or operating expenses – Service Managers are best placed to determine local needs and will be provided the flexibility to determine these amounts in their business case.