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Queen's Park tops up pandemic relief with $8.5M for London, St. Thomas

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The Ontario government is doling out another $8.5 million to London and St. Thomas for housing and other supports for the most vulnerable populations.

More than $6.7 million is earmarked for London city hall, and the City of St. Thomas will receive $1.8 million.

Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek said the new funding will “ensure that resources are available for our neighbours who need it.”

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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create “significant pressures” for municipalities and people who are struggling with basic needs, he said.

The cash is part of a provincial envelope — called social services relief funding — to help cities respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Queen’s Park has sent a total of about $1 billion to municipalities across the province through the program, and London has received more than $20 million of it.

London city hall used previous funds from the program to give meals to people on the street, install portable washrooms in public spaces when other bathrooms were closed during COVID-19 lockdowns, and rent hotel and motel rooms for homeless people when emergency shelter beds were reduced because of distancing rules.

Some of the money also went to affordable housing projects and rent subsidies to help top up supports for those who were struggling.

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