The Rotary Club of Southampton has made a generous donation of $8,841.00 towards the Rural Homelessness Response program of YMCA Owen Sound Grey Bruce. The money is made available through the community fundraising efforts of the Coldest Night of the Year walk, held this previous winter in Saugeen Shores.

Funding for these programs comes directly from the County of Bruce and the YMCA provides Homelessness Response and Outreach services throughout Bruce County with the following solutions to individual homelessness:

• Assistance in accessing temporary emergency shelter
• Outreach to encampments
• Support to people looking to avoid eviction
• Short-term Rental Subsidies and Funding for New Home Necessities
• Support for those moving from emergency shelter to affordable housing

The YMCA will be using the funds, donated by Southampton Rotary to assist people with Eviction Prevention and Short Term Rental Subsidies.

The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce recognizes that everyone deserves safe, secure and affordable housing. There are many direct and indirect way to combat homelessness. The YMCA’s Eviction Prevention program works against many of the systemic barriers that result in homelessness. The program is dedicated to fairness and compassion and looks to promote self-sufficiency and equitable access to resources that can help one keep their home.

Working with residents of Bruce County, the program provides support for youth, families, newcomers to Canada, and seniors who are at risk of losing their housing.

Please remember, if you’re a landlord who has properties available to rent, we can match you with potential tenants. We’ll visit your units to learn about your preferences for tenants and to learn more about what utilities and amenities you have available. We maintain a database of available properties within Bruce County, owned by landlords who want to make an impact in the current housing crisis.

Thank you to the members of the Southampton Rotary, who have made this great contribution toward Homelessness Response services in their community and an investment to fight against homelessness.