John Howard Society of Kingston & District Faces Funding Cut Impacting Rural Youth Homelessness Services in Leeds and Grenville

Leeds & Grenville – February 19, 2025 – The John Howard Society of Kingston & District (JHSKD) has been notified that it will not be receiving Reaching Home Rural and Remote funding this year. This decision will significantly impact critical services for homeless youth in rural Leeds and Grenville.

Reaching Home is a national program dedicated to reducing homelessness across Canada, with specific funding designated for rural and remote communities to address their unique challenges. This funding has been instrumental in funding our Youth Housing Program in our Connect Youth division of services; inclusive of Youth Housing Support Workers and supportive housing apartments in Prescott and Brockville. Without these resources, JHSKD will be unable to provide the same level of service across our expansive service area.

“The loss of this funding will have a profound effect on our ability to support vulnerable youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in Leeds and Grenville,” said Robyn Holmes, Assistant Executive Director of JHSKD. “Rural homelessness is often hidden, but the need is real. Without stable housing and support, young people face increased risks, including housing insecurity, high unemployment, mental health, and addiction struggles.” This program supports more than 100 youth per year with services ranging from homelessness prevention to crisis response.

“We are committed to finding a way forward, but without immediate funding, our ability to provide critical support to homeless youth will be severely limited,” added Julie Langan, Executive Director. “We urge all levels of government and community partners to recognize the urgency of this situation and work together to prevent further disruption of these essential services.”
For more information or to support JHSKD’s efforts, please contact: Julie.langan@jhskd.ca