The United Way of Simcoe Muskoka is looking for partners to help connect people to the Home Relief Bank, which offers interest-free loans to people who find themselves temporarily unable to pay their rent or mortgage.
The relief bank is available to people experiencing unforeseen events like illness, emergency home repairs, and/or relationship breakdown, that leave them unable to make their housing payments.
United Way announced this week it has opened up the expressions of interest phase of the project in search of individuals, organizations and agencies interested in partnering with United Way to offer the homelessness prevention program.
“United Way Simcoe Muskoka is dedicated to building stronger communities, and the Home Relief Bank is an essential part of that priority,” said Brian Shelley, chief executive and philanthropy officer, United Way Simcoe Muskoka, in a news release. “By working with front-line housing agencies, we believe that we can reduce barriers in helping individuals access the supports they need.”
The expression of interest period will remain open until Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at 5 p.m. An information session will be on Nov. 20, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m. Those interested in attending the session and completing an expression of interest are encouraged to visit uwsimcoemuskoka.ca/homereliefbank.
The Home Relief Bank is, in part, a response to alarming statistics gathered and reported in the County of Simcoe and Muskoka Community Foundation Vital Signs Report, which estimates that 833 people are experiencing homelessness across Simcoe Muskoka.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported a .05 per cent increase in mortgage delinquency rates in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023.
And the Tribunals Ontario annual report for 2022-2023 states there were 37,690 households evicted for non-payment of rent in Ontario, which is a 20 per cent increase over the previous year.
