Huron County councilors approved a set of motions in a close 8-7 vote during their July 3rd meeting, agreeing with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Huron Perth for a new housing initiative and establishing a rent subsidy program for those leaving emergency housing.
Instead of using a motel in Goderich, the new model will offer 14 bedrooms through a CMHA property and two Huron County Housing Corporation units.
Shelter allowances from the Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works will be set aside for a rent subsidy program to help people leaving the shelter system afford private market rent. This is expected to bring in about $94,000 annually.
Councilors had approved the new model during their June 26 meeting and directed staff to create an agreement with the CMHA from Nov. 1, 2024, to Oct. 31, 2025. However, the July 3 motion extended the agreement to Dec. 31, 2025, to help CMHA retain staff by offering longer-term positions.
The extended program will cost about $1.02 million, with nearly $500,000 from the county’s levy.
Written By: K. Milhomens
