Ontario Increasing Support for Homelessness Prevention in the Region of Durham

Province’s additional investment will help people at risk or experiencing
homelessness

DURHAM — The Ontario Government is investing an additional $202 million
annually in the province’s Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous
Supporting Housing Program, bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment in these
programs to close to $700 million. The additional funding will help those
experiencing or at risk of homelessness and support community organizations
delivering supportive housing.

“This new funding builds on the Government’s investment of nearly $4.4 billion
over the past three years to grow and enhance community and supportive
housing in our community” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge.
“As part of this funding, the Region of Durham will be receiving over $18.6 million
annually through the Homelessness Prevention Program. This is an increase of
more than $7.1 million – or about 62% – over last year.”

“An additional $7,147,800 in Homelessness Prevention and Supportive Housing
will have a big impact on the ability of towns/cities within the Region of Durham to
provide residents with the support and resources they need,” said Whitby MPP
Lorne Coe and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier. “I look forward to
continuing to work with Regional Chair Henry as we work to implement
coordinated responses to the housing challenges in our communities.”

The additional funding, announced in the 2023 Budget, represents a 40 per cent
increase in province-wide funding by the Government to support the most
vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention
services. Under the $202 million, $190.5 million each year will be allocated to the
Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP), which gives Ontario’s 47 Service
Managers greater flexibility to allocate funding and make better use of existing
resources to focus on delivering supports.

The remaining $11.5 million each year will be invested in the Indigenous
Supportive Housing Program (ISHP), which provides Indigenous led, culturally
appropriate long-term housing solutions and support services to Indigenous
people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“We know Ontario’s housing supply crisis impacts all Ontarians, no matter their
background or budget,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing. “That’s why we’ve increased funding for our homelessness prevention
programs by more than 40 per cent. These measures complement the bold and
transformational change we are implementing to tackle the housing supply crisis
and get more homes built faster across Ontario.”

“Like many major municipalities across Ontario, Durham Region is not immune to
homelessness and housing issues which affects far too many individuals and
families” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham. “Our Government’s latest
announcement of increased funding will better serve Durham Region with
additional resources available to provide more emergency shelter spaces,
supportive housing, seniors’ housing and short-term housing programs.”

“Our Government will fund more organizations that serve Ontarians who are in
need or have trouble paying their rent thanks to this increased infusion of
funding”, said Patrice Barnes, MPP for Ajax. “We are aware that many of these
individuals are families with children, which may impair their ability to obtain
education. A child will have more alternatives in the future if they live in stable
housing, which also boosts their chances of getting an education.”

The increased funding is a result of a revised funding model that better reflects
the current needs of individuals who are facing homelessness across Ontario.
Funding dollars are being increased to address increased needs, particularly
during a time of rising inflation, and to help ensure that no service manager
receives a decrease in funding compared to 2022-23 as a result of the transition
to the new model.

“Supportive housing provides people in need with a roof over their heads. It also
connects them with services that provide a hand up to improve their
circumstances, including mental health support and job training,” said Nina
Tangri, Associate Minister for Housing. “Our Government met with partners and
stakeholders across the province this past fall – we heard their concerns and are
addressing their valuable feedback to improve Ontario’s supportive housing
system. This investment will make a real impact to support housing providers that
help vulnerable Ontarians each and every day.”

The changes also address the recommendation in the Auditor General’s 2021
value-for-money audit on homelessness, which called for a better funding model
for homelessness programs that would target areas where funding is most
needed.

In addition to reducing costs in other sectors, supportive housing provides people
in Ontario with an opportunity to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Ontario will continue to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive
housing and homelessness prevention services to help those most in need.

QUICK FACTS

• In order to access HPP funding, Service Managers must have in place a
comprehensive and up-to-date By-Name List of people experiencing
homelessness, along with information about their needs. This is to ensure
that Service Managers have the up-to-date information they need from
individuals experiencing homelessness to help connect people the right
housing and supports as soon as they are available.
• Through the Community Housing Renewal Strategy, response to COVID19 and homelessness initiatives, over the past three years Ontario
invested nearly $4.4 billion for community and supportive housing while
addressing homelessness and the impacts of the pandemic for vulnerable
Ontarians.
• Durham Region will be receiving $18,683,900; an increase of $7,147,800,
or 62%
• In 2022, the Government introduced the More Homes Built Faster Act,
which takes bold action to address the housing crisis by building 1.5
million homes by 2031. The plan also has measures to reduce municipal
charges for housing providers looking to build non-profit and affordable
housing for vulnerable Ontarians.