City announces enhancements to programming and service delivery in ongoing response to COVID-19

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford’s top priority continues to be the health and safety of our residents and staff. Working closely with the Brant County Health Unit, City-operated programs and facilities have been extended to offer additional in-person services at City Hall and Health & Human Services. Booking an appointment in advance is strongly encouraged, and in some cases required.

Skip the line – Report an Issue or Request a Service Online

Many services can be requested and addressed using one of the comprehensive online forms, meaning residents can conveniently request a city service from the comfort of their home. Citizens can visit www.brantford.ca/RequestService to report an issue or request a non-urgent City service. For a list of popular city services available online, visit www.brantford.ca/ServiceUpdates.  

Protocol for attending City facilities

Upon visiting a City facility, Building Security will ask if the attendee has an appointment booked. Anyone entering a City facility will be required to answer health-screening questions and sign in for the purposes of contract tracing at the door prior to entering. Hand washing guidelines are to be followed and persons are to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from others. All visitors will be required to wear a face covering at all times in City facilities as per the Mandatory Face Coverings in Public Spaces By-Law. Face coverings will be provided for those who do not have one.

There is a limit to the number of visitors allowed inside at one time, and lines will be outside with appropriate markings for physical distancing.

City Hall – 100 Wellington Square

While City Hall is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there may be reduced access to services depending on demand. Contactless payment is encouraged for residents making payments at City Hall. To avoid unnecessary wait times, residents are strongly encouraged to first call 519-759-4150 to book an appointment or to visit www.brantford.ca/RequestService to report an issue or request a non-urgent City service.

Health and Human Services – 220 Colborne Street

The following City services are currently available online, by telephone or in-person by appointment only.

Ontario Works and Homelessness

Individuals and families currently in receipt of Ontario Works can contact their Service Coordinator by calling 519-759-3330. Residents who wish to apply for social assistance can do so online at www.brantford.ca/OntarioWorks or call 519-759-7009 from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to complete an application.

Emergency Sheltering Services

If you are in need of Emergency Sheltering Services, call 519-759-7009 from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or the After Hours telephone line at 519-753-4193 on weeknights and weekends.

Housing

Individuals and families that wish to apply for community housing may continue to do so by mail or online at www.brantford.ca/Housing. Households can apply for other housing programs by mail or online at www.brantford.ca/Housing. Urgent maintenance services are available and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by calling your Property Manager or Property Management Assistant at 519-759-3330. 

Children’s Services

Families currently receiving Child Care Fee Subsidy can contact their Child Care Representative by calling 519-759-3330. Families who want to apply for Child Care Fee Subsidy, can visit www.brantford.ca/ChildrensServices or call 519-759-7009 from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to complete an application or request an in-person appointment.

Public Health Enquiries 

In the City of Brantford, the Brant County Health Unit is the lead public health agency responsible for managing COVID-19 pandemic cases locally and providing information updates regarding case numbers.

The Brant Community Health System is the lead health agency for COVID-19 testing. Guidance and protocols for testing are established by the provincial Ministry of Health. The BCHS COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at the Brantford Civic Centre, 79 Market Street South, Brantford, ON, N3S 2E4. Expanded hours for COVID testing will be from 8am to 10pm daily Monday to Friday and from 8am to 6pm on weekends. For more information, please visit www.bchsys.org/en/covid-19.aspx

To reduce wait times for testing, people are strongly encouraged to book COVID-19 testing appointments in advance by emailing Covid.assessment@bchsys.org with their name and telephone number, or by calling the hotline at 519-751-5818.