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Assisting social service providers (e.g., Violence Against Women (VAW) services) with accommodation and support services, which are presently at capacity due to physical distancing requirements (this is resulting in vulnerable populations turning to local housing and homelessness systems).
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Promoting the re-design of congregate care settings such as emergency shelters, to move away from traditional approaches (e.g., bunk beds, shared common areas, close spacing) towards more permanent/independent housing solutions that better allow for physical distancing and other measures to protect the safety and well-being of residents and staff. Capital projects such as acquisition, conversion, and modular home developments are in scope for this funding. For more information, please refer to the Program Guidelines.
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Promoting cost effectiveness of service delivery in congregate care settings (e.g., renting space versus owning a building in order to provide services and supports, or vice versa, as well as the cost effectiveness of permanent housing versus emergency shelters).
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Supporting the housing needs of individuals released into the community from provincial institutions (e.g., health institutions, correctional facilities, and the child welfare system), where some individuals may be at risk of entering into homelessness.
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Supporting renter households (e.g., rental assistance), who may be in rental arrears and at a high risk of becoming homeless.
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Providing culturally responsive and appropriate housing and homelessness supports to Indigenous people.
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Indigenous populations are over-represented among those experiencing homelessness and are more likely to experience health conditions that may increase vulnerability to COVID-19, particularly in high-risk congregate care settings such as emergency shelters.
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There is also a significant demand for Indigenous safe spaces for temporary housing, testing, self-isolation, and recovery from COVID-19, including within rural and urban settings.
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