‘How will we proceed to function in an area the place inflation goes up, but our funding stays flat?’ CEO says throughout Orillia metropolis council assembly
Demand for group houses, supported impartial dwelling, and different providers provided by Empower Simcoe far exceeds accessible assets, Orillia metropolis council was instructed at its assembly Monday.
Empower Simcoe CEO Claudine Cousins gave a presentation on the work the multi-service company does within the area, in addition to the challenges it’s dealing with within the present surroundings.
With a $53-million funds and 600 workers (together with 185 in Orillia), the non-profit group operates 19 group houses, 42 supported impartial dwelling purchasers, in addition to a wide range of group help packages, Cousins stated.
Regardless of the array of providers provided by Empower Simcoe, the developmental providers sector is overburdened with demand. In 2023, for instance, Cousins stated there have been 1,370 requests for group houses via Developmental Providers Ontario (DSO), with solely 14 group houses accessible.
“We closed two group (homes) — one group home here in Orillia — not because we wanted to, but because we don’t have the operating costs to support that,” she stated. “It just shows you that the need for services (is) outstripping the (supply) for services.”
Practically half of those that apply for providers via DSO are eligible, “yet we don’t have services to offer them,” Cousins stated.
“Within Simcoe County, the numbers that continue to knock on the door for non-residential services is also increasing,” she stated. “At the end of September of this year, the number of individuals on the wait list for supports within intellectual disability developmental services (was) 52,100, and these individuals are outside the municipal numbers.”
Empower Simcoe receives 75 per cent of its funding from the Ministry of Youngsters, Group and Social Providers and 10 per cent from the County of Simcoe.
“The primary cause of some of our issues, when it comes to the shortfalls … it’s really about how do we continue to operate in a space where inflation is going up, yet our funding remains flat?” Cousins stated.
She stated Empower Simcoe advocates for the sector at provincial and federal ranges of presidency, and that the group is at all times in search of methods to be extra environment friendly.
“We’re looking at how we can be more efficient. We’re looking at how we can repurpose a number of resources within the organization to be able to deliver the best services we can for people,” she stated. “What we can’t do is live beyond our means and spend $1.50 when we only have $1.”
Throughout dialogue, Cousins additionally stated Empower Simcoe can entry authorities housing funds at decrease charges than different organizations, and talked about the group is trying to companion with others to assist deliver new tasks to fruition.
“Sometimes we’re looking for municipal governments, provincial governments, whoever has property that’s available. We would like to be partnering with those individuals to build,” she stated. “We’re looking for any opportunities around those things that we can come together with a partner to be able to do.”
