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COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund

Home Regional Government COVID-19 Information and ResourcesCOVID-19 Community Assistance Fund

Please note: we are no longer accepting applications for the Community Assistance Fund. Learn more about available
Community Funding Opportunities.

Applications for the Community Assistance Fund were assessed and prioritized by the COVID-19 Homelessness Response Network based on urgency of need, positive community impact and co-ordination with other homelessness initiatives operating throughout Durham Region. The following organizations received funding: VHA Home Healthcare, St. Andrew’s Community Outreach and Support Program, Durham Youth Services, Victim Services of Durham Region, YWCA Durham, and North House.

We are releasing homelessness support funding in response to the growing needs in Durham's homelessness support system, due to the impact of COVID-19.

The Region of Durham Social Services is releasing homelessness support funding in response to the growing needs in Durham’s homelessness support system due to the impact of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund is available as a one-time allocation for non-profit organizations in Durham Region that are providing urgent help to homeless residents and residents at-risk of homelessness impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The priority of this funding is to reduce homelessness in Durham.

If approved, applicants may receive funding within 5 to 10 business days after submitting their application.

To apply for funding, your agency must be:

Incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.
Able to sign a Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy agreement or an Ontario Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) agreement.
Located in the Region of Durham.
Providing supports for homeless residents in Durham Region.

Eligible requests and expenses:

Expenses associated with the provision of basic needs (may include food services, transportation, etc.) as part of a broader response to help people resolve their homelessness
Staffing costs to increase level of service or maintain level of service to help people prevent or end their homelessness
Expenses that increase or maintain service delivery due to COVID-19 (may include costs for additional cleaning services, etc.)
Emergency supplies, equipment or personal protective items
Unbudgeted expenses that support the development of enhanced service delivery in response to client need (may include technology purchases and upgrades, etc.

Purpose of the COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund

The purpose of the COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund is to provide financial assistance to support eligible non-profit agencies to provide supports for homeless residents living in Durham Region during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this funding is to reduce homelessness in Durham.

Assessment Framework

Applications will be assessed and prioritized by the COVID-19 Homelessness Response Network based on urgency of need, positive community impact and coordination with other homelessness initiatives operating throughout Durham Region.

Priority will be given to applications that support the shelter, housing security and health and safety of residents experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.

Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Region of Durham at the following address: homelessnessreporting@durham.ca with any questions regarding the COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund.

Terms of Funding and Reporting

The COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund provides one-time funding released in June 2020.

The recipient shall:

Enter into a Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy (RH) or Ontario Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding agreement with the Region of Durham.
Agree to provide, upon request a certificate of insurance, demonstrating that it maintains $5 million Commercial General Liability coverage, such coverage to name the Regional Municipality of Durham as an additional insured.
Complete a Financial Tracking Report including all applicable invoices and receipts validating funding expenditures due September 1, 2020.
Submit any other reports and information regarding the COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund to the Region of Durham at its request. The report and information shall be in such form and contain such information as may be specified by the Region.

If there is a change in the scope or costs being funded by the COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund, the recipient must submit a written request to the Region for its approval of such a change prior to taking any steps to implement such a change as relates to the incurring of costs. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Region.