Federal funding application denial a setback for Kingston, Ont. youth hub – Kingston | 24CA News
A neighborhood non-profit that goals to construct a “youth hub” in midtown Kingston, Ont., continues to be reeling after being denied tens of millions in funding from the federal authorities.
Home Base Housing needs the hub constructed on the location of Princess Street United Church.
“We are absolutely surprised to hear very recently that in fact the federal Rapid Housing Initiative Program did not support our application,” mentioned Home Base Housing govt director Tom Greening.
Greening says the $14-million utility was to create extra supportive housing within the metropolis for at-risk youth.
The housing would play a big function in not simply getting the youth off the road however serving to them reintegrate into society.
“It just makes sense that we should be putting our efforts into providing longer-term supportive housing as opposed to band-aids through emergency shelters,” mentioned Greening.
Kingston and the Islands Member of Parliament Mark Gerretsen says the modern nature of the supportive housing could have contributed to the applying denial.
“The cost per unit of this particular project was much higher than the cost per unit in other projects,” mentioned Gerretsen.
The Liberal MP says not backing the challenge might show shortsighted.
“It’s a very vulnerable population in our community and it’s not just about housing here, it’s also about the other social services and the supports that Home Base Housing provides to youth in our community,” mentioned Gerretsen.
Greening says they are going to now must take one other take a look at the youth hub and search for funding elsewhere.
“We will try to reduce the scope of the project and the cost of the project and find other ways to be successful and get some keys for young people to be able to move in and get the support they need,” mentioned Greening.
If the $14-million utility had been authorized, the youth hub would have supplied supportive housing for 29 youth locally.
