SCAP calls for meeting with director of social services

Members of the Sudbury Coalition Against Poverty (SCAP) filled the waiting room outside the office of Luisa Valle, director of social services for the city, in hopes of having their voices heard.

They wanted Valle to know the “problems people on Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are having accessing Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) and associated discretionary funding.”

“It has been brought to our attention that people on ODSP who apply for CHPI and associated discretionary funding in Sudbury are being denied 'exceptional circumstances' consideration,” read a letter signed by SCAP workers Gary Kinsman and Clarissa Lassaline.

The two, along with a handful of other SCAP supporters, were aiming to meet with Valle to discuss the “exceptional circumstances,” the capping of furniture, clothing and other expenses under CHPI and associated discretionary funding, the rules and regulations that are being used in the administration of CHPI funding and a reinstatement of the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit program.

For more information, visit sudburycap.com.