Funding will support vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness

NationTalk: THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is investing nearly $1.7 million in two projects to help create 16 housing units in the Thunder Bay area. The funding is being delivered through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) and will provide affordable housing for those identifying as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, as well as transitional housing for youth aged 16 to 24 years old.

“Our government is providing immediate housing and homelessness program relief in communities across northern Ontario,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Ensuring every Ontarian has a safe place to call home is of paramount importance to our government, and today’s investment will continue to support local innovative housing solutions in the Thunder Bay area to protect our most vulnerable for years to come.”

The funding will support two projects:

• Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, Yonge Street – nearly $400,000 to help create ten transitional housing units for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Residents will have access to safe, substance-free accommodation with supports appropriate for longer-term treatment of substance use. Programming will also be available to the family members of residents who need a safe, supportive environment to address substance use, and those who require additional support following addiction treatment.
• Mattawa McLaughlin Street – over $1.3 million to help create six two-bedroom affordable housing units for people who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis. Through a partnership with the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services and Mattawa Non-Profit Housing Corporation, this investment will help provide better, safer and secure access to housing to more Indigenous people who need it.

As highlighted in Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, this funding is part of the province’s Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF), through which the province has invested over $1 billion as one of the biggest investments in affordable housing and homelessness prevention in Ontario’s history.

“These much-needed projects will help relieve everyday hardships for the most vulnerable in our community,” said Kevin Holland, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. “With smart investments and targeted solutions, our government is helping our youth get the services and housing they need to get back on their feet.”

Quick Facts

• Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) has been allocated over $45 million through the SSRF, which helps municipal service managers and Indigenous program administrators create longer-term housing solutions and deliver critical services such as shelters, food banks, and funding for rental arrears to support vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board has been allocated over $11 million through SSRF.
• Learn more about affordable and supportive housing in Ontario and find your local service manager to see what housing services are available in your community.
• Read the 2022 Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build.
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.

Quotes

“Every additional source of support to address homelessness is gratefully accepted in our community. Thunder Bay is receiving increasingly more demand for such services, so as a City we thank the Province for this step in alleviating the issues of poverty.”

– Mayor Ken Boshcoff

“On behalf of the TBDSSAB Board of Directors, we are so pleased to announce another transitional housing project with our partners at Dilico. Transitional housing offers tenants the supports they need, when and where they need them. Partnerships with organizations like Dilico make it possible to offer transitional housing. We are grateful to Dilico and the Province of Ontario for helping address the need for transitional housing options in our District.”

– Jody Davis
Vice Chair, TBDSSAB

“Dilico Anishinabek Family Care welcomes the support of Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund. Providing a supportive housing environment that is geared for young people entering adulthood is a priority and Dilico is committed to ensuring young people have an adequate range of housing and support services to meet their unique needs. We are excited to be able to provide this service and believe filling this gap will result with healthier young Indigenous adults, who have more personal protective factors and improved independent living skills.”

– Kristine Stasiuk
Assistant Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

“The capacity for change we can create by working together with our government and community partners continues to strengthen. With the collective efforts of the Ontario government, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, and Matawa Non-Profit Housing Corporation, this development will help serve Indigenous people in need of safe and affordable housing, and I only hope these continued partnerships increase that capacity for change.”

– Cora McGuire-Cyrette
Board Chair of OAHS and Executive Director of Ontario Native Women’s Association

“With this funding, the Matawa Non-Profit Housing Corporation is moving forward with a 26-year track record of meeting the needs of families most at risk for homelessness. In the spring of 2023, up to 6 families in Thunder Bay who declare as First Nation, Inuit or Métis will be taken off the waitlist in the city for 2 bedrooms. The allocation announced today is a result of continuing collaboration with the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services which we are delighted to maintain. We also appreciate the support of the government of Ontario, through the Social Services Relief Fund 4.”

– David Paul Achneepineskum
CEO – Matawa First Nations Management

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Media Contacts

Victoria Podbielski
Minister Clark’s Office
victoria.podbielski2@ontario.ca

Conrad Spezowka
Communications Branch
MMA.Media@ontario.ca