A local homelessness outreach group is teaming up with the municipality to help offer housing-driven services for those in need.
Council passed a staff recommendation Monday night to provide ROCK mission with an 18-month contract to provide its services.
The program is being funded through Chatham-Kent's economic downturn reserve and is not to exceed $200,000.
Director of Employment and Social Services Polly Smith said the funding will go towards creating paid positions through ROCK Missions.
“We generally fund quarterly, and along the way, we monitor outcomes and support the agencies that we work with,” said Smith.
According to a report presented Monday night, employment and social services have been responding to new encampments in the community as they become known.
Social workers try to build relationships, but that is taking staff away from other work such as securing new housing in the private market and helping high-barrier individuals with maintaining their housing.
“The residents of Chatham-Kent would benefit from having additional service providers like ROCK Missions working with the municipality in a co-ordinated fashion to end chronic homelessness in the community," said Smith.
Towards the end of the 18-month agreement, municipal staff will return to council with a summary report that outlines outcomes and what's next.
