City of Brockville Council Proposes Supportive Housing Partnership to United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

Brockville – Mayor Matt Wren and Council of the City of Brockville committed at the outset of this term, through partnerships and advocacy, to address the homelessness being experienced by members of our community. Over the past year, the City has been collaborating closely with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville in a municipal working group to identify potential sites for supportive and transitional housing.

At its meeting on January 23, Council provided direction to staff to proceed with discussions with the Counties on a partnership approach offering the Counties the use of one of the previously identified sites: the City’s former Water Pollution Control Centre administrative building on County Road 2 at the eastern City limits.

Under such a partnership, the Counties, as the organization responsible for housing within the region, can determine the most appropriate approach to combat the local housing crisis. Currently, the Counites are conducting a feasibility study in partnership with the organization, Indwell, to consider viable sites for supportive housing, which may include this site.

It is hoped that, with the influence of MPP Clark and MP Barrett, critical funding can be secured from the Ontario Ministry of Health to maximize the effectiveness of supportive housing initiatives and they are to be acknowledged for their advocacy.

Mayor Wren and Council wish to thank the present tenant of the building, Fulford Academy, for their understanding of Council’s desire to see this property used to serve individuals who are facing tremendous struggles. We wish the Academy well as they transition back to their campus at the conclusion of the term of their lease later this year.

The City expresses appreciation to our partner municipalities of the United Counties of Leeds Grenville and the Towns of Prescott and Gananoque for their ongoing collaboration as we work together to support those most in need in our community.