Brantford — The Ontario government is providing $2.25 million to help support 26 bachelor units in the city of Brantford for vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness.
Located at 177 Colborne Street West, the new five-storey modular construction apartment building will support individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in the city of Brantford. The building features an elevator and commercial and office spaces on the main level.
“Our government’s policies have delivered historic results in getting more homes built faster and complement our nearly $4.4 billion investments in community and supportive housing over the past three years. We are also continuing to work to expand access to mental health and addictions support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Community and supportive housing is a critical component of our commitment to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years, which will ensure that all Ontarians, especially our most vulnerable, have a home that meets their needs and budget.”
Was great to be in Brantford this morning with @WillBoumaBrant to announce $2.25 million in support for people at risk of homelessness.
These 26 units are a critical community support & part of our work to ensure all Ontarians have a home that meets their needs. pic.twitter.com/5okOfgCXgb
— Steve Clark (@SteveClarkPC) September 29, 2022
Residents will be close to public transportation, pharmacies, parks and grocery stores.
The Ontario government is also investing an additional $25 million annually in our new Homelessness Prevention Program. This new program will simplify and streamline operations so municipal service managers can spend less time on paperwork and more time working with their clients to help find housing and other supports and help those at-risk of homelessness stay in their homes. The additional funding brings Ontario’s total yearly investment in the program to almost $464 million.
As highlighted in Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, today’s announcement is part of the province’s Social Services Relief Fund, which has provided over $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to help municipalities and Indigenous program partners create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Quotes
“Alleviating chronic homelessness requires dedication, innovation and collaboration,” said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “Building 26 bachelor units where they are most needed is a step towards this goal and I am happy to be in a government that is part of the solution.”
“On behalf of the City of Brantford, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our provincial partners for their support to help us provide urgently needed affordable housing options in our community. With more households on the community housing waitlist, whereby some applicants have a wait of between eight and 12 years, the need for affordable housing has never been greater. Consistent with the Mayors’ Partnership Housing Task Force Affordable Housing Action Plan, this development is the result of working together with our provincial partners to create new innovative housing opportunities and expedite the development of more affordable housing options.” – City of Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis
“On behalf of the community, I am so pleased to see more affordable housing coming to our communities and truly value the province’s support. There is an urgent need for affordable housing and this is a step in the right direction. People in our communities need housing options and ones that they can afford without needing to work three jobs. Housing can greatly impact a person’s overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. Again, I’m so pleased to see more options becoming available.” – County of Brant Mayor David Bailey
Quick Facts
- In Budget 2021, Ontario released $175 million for mental health and addictions services and supports, building on prior year investments of $176 million announced in October 2020, and $174 million in Budget 2019.
- $10.3 million has been allocated through SSRF to help the city of Brantford deliver critical services that the community relies on, such as shelters, food banks and emergency services, and create longer-term housing solutions for vulnerable people, including those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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