“We would have been lucky if we spent that $3.3 million,” said Sahady.
Dion said that the two rounds of COVID funding is providing more than $1.4 million in a small business stabilization program to help retain and create jobs.
Another $2.14 million is providing funding for a homeless prevention program, renovations to the overflow shelter at Solomon’s Porch on Bay Street, money for shelter operations at First Step Inn and Our Sister’s Place and funding to provide emergency shelter to families in the form of motel vouchers.
A new street outreach recently received $116,000 to provide services to unsheltered homeless. And $400,000 was earmarked for Catholic Social Services to operate its homeless prevention programs.