THUNDER BAY – Ontario is partnering with municipalities across the province to end homelessness, by helping families and individuals stay in their homes or get the housing they need.
Chris Ballard, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, made the announcement today in Barrie, where he was joined by local MPP Ann Hoggarth. Simcoe County is receiving more than $14 million in new funding through the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative.
“The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative supports our government’s bold goal of ending homelessness in Ontario by 2025. The program has helped thousands of at-risk families and individuals retain and find secure housing, allowing them to build healthy, stable lives. By giving communities the flexibility to address local priorities, they can better meet the needs of individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Working together, Ontario will continue to be a place where the work of building stronger communities starts at home,” stated Minister Ballard.
The province is providing $632 million to municipalities over two years to help families and individuals at risk of homelessness stay in their homes or get the housing they need, through a wider range of services and homelessness prevention programs that meet local needs. These include:
- Emergency financial assistance to prevent eviction
- Long-term and transitional housing
- Integrated supportive housing to help people with specific needs access suitable housing.
Last year, this initiative helped almost 40,000 families and individuals experiencing homelessness obtain housing, and helped over 115,000 families and individuals at-risk of homelessness remain in their homes.
Preventing homelessness is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
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