Ontario Increasing Support for Homelessness Prevention in Windsor-Essex
Province’s additional investment will help people at risk or experiencing homelessness
NEWS April 13, 2023
Windsor-Essex — 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 includes $16,698,400 for Windsor-Essex, a $4,228,300 or 34% increase over the 2022/2023 funding envelope. The City of Windsor is the Service Manager for all of Essex County.
“Mayor Dilkens, Warden MacDonald and mayors across Ontario have been advocating for an increase in core funding for Homeless Prevention programs and greater flexibility in how these programs are delivered.” said MPP Andrew Dowie. “Today’s announcement delivers a 34% increase for Windsor and Essex County as stable, predictable funding for the next three years and allows for our local priorities to be addressed through these funds”.
The additional funding, announced in the 2023 Budget, represents a 40 per cent increase in 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.”
“During a time of economic challenges and change, our government is supporting those who have fallen on hard times and are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessness,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Ontario’s 2023 Budget: Building a Strong Ontario is the right plan to support those who need it the most today while laying a strong fiscal foundation for future generations.”
“Thanks to the progressive and compassionate policies of the Doug Ford government, Ontario is investing to help prevent homelessness in our region,” said MPP Leardi.
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 COVID-19 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.
- 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.
Quotes
“This is another vital investment by the Provincial government for our region and community. Guided by our 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Master Plan, the City of Windsor has been actively implementing strategies and initiatives by working with upper levels of government to advocate for additional resources, develop solutions like the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4), and strengthening the support needed. Today’s announcement marks a significant investment that will enable us to continue enhancing, developing and delivering programs, services and supports to the most vulnerable in our community. I want to thank MPP Dowie and the Provincial government for their ongoing collaboration and their commitment to the people of Windsor-Essex.
Drew Dilkens
Mayor, City of Windsor
“The County of Essex is working closely with the City of Windsor and our other partners to ensure this welcome and much appreciated additional provincial funding will make a difference. Homelessness and the threat of homelessness are less visible in rural areas but no less devastating to those affected. That is why Essex County is pursuing innovative solutions, like our Homelessness Hub in Leamington, which we hope will help us and our partners more effectively address this issue.”
Hilda MacDonald
Warden, Essex County
MEDIA CONTACT
Paul Synnott
Executive Assistant Andrew Dowie, MPP
Windsor-Tecumseh
Ph: 519-251-0437 Cell: 226-724-6978
Email: paul.synnott@pc.ola.org