WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Guelph Wellington Community Health Van is turning to Wellington County for funding support.
A report to be presented at a social services committee Wednesday, says the organizations primary funding of almost $240,000 from a Health Canada grant is set to end in March of 2024.
The total 2023 annual cost to operate the Guelph-Wellington Community Health Van is just over $271,000.
According to staff, the ending of the Health Canada grant poses a significant risk to current services ending or being drastically reduced.
Sanguen Outreach Programs which operates the community van provides social support, essential items, as well as health and harm reduction services to people in urban and rural areas who have traditionally been marginalized due to drug use, mental health concerns, or poverty.
In Wellington County, on average the van serves 55 people weekly, with 45 bi-weekly including in Fergus.
Staff are recommending the county provide $90,000 to assist the organizations services up until September 2024.
“Staff also recommend that Social Services work closely with Sanguen Health Centre to provide increased alignment with social service supports, data collection, and needs analysis of serving vulnerable people equitably across the County. Staff envision that this service can be strengthened to better support those living in unsheltered homelessness to ensure they are provided with primary care and basic needs while building strong relationships to promote housing first strategies,” the report said.
The committee will consider approving the request and will go to County Council for final approval later this month.
You can read the full report here.
