2 Operating Funding

2.1 Objectives

The intention of SSRF Phase 2 operating funding is to continue to help a diverse range of vulnerable people to meet short-term critical needs, including people living in community housing, supportive housing, people with low incomes, social assistance recipients, or others who require social services support as well as those that are experiencing homelessness.

2.2 Eligible Use of Funding

All eligible operating expenses under the initial SSRF funding will be maintained under SSRF Phase 2. A wide variety of services and supports are eligible for funding.

Service Managers are required to consider the use of operating funding for rental assistance to support renter households who may be in rental arrears and at a high risk of becoming homeless, and to describe how they intend to support this in their business case.

Eligible operating expenses refer to the use of funding in any of the four service categories under CHPI: Emergency Shelter Solutions, Housing and Related Supports, Other Services and Supports and Homelessness Prevention.

The eligible operating expenses include but are not limited to:

• Building homeless shelter capacity;

• Use of motels or hotels as isolation centres or to support social distancing;

• Rental assistance such as funding for rent arrears and short-term housing allowances;

• Transportation costs;

• Food and supplies;

• Enhanced cleaning services;

• Non-medical staffing requirements (e.g., enhanced outreach services);

• Personal protective equipment; and

• Minor retrofits, alterations and repairs under $50,000 that do not extend the useful life of pre-existing buildings or assets.

More broadly, this funding could also be used towards initiatives delivered through local service agencies like:

• Rent bank and emergency energy funds;

• Food banks and grocery gift cards;

• Community outreach to support vulnerable populations in self-isolation;