$3 million to support vulnerable populations at risk of, or experiencing homelessness
ST. THOMAS — The Ontario government is providing $3 million to help build 20 supportive housing units in St. Thomas. The funding is being delivered through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) and will support people in need of mental health and addictions supports, people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, and Indigenous peoples.
With the units expected to be occupied by December 2023, residents will be close to public transportation, schools, parks, grocery stores, pharmacies and employment opportunities.
“Our government’s Social Services Relief Fund is designed to provide immediate housing and homelessness program relief in communities across Ontario,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “By investing $3 million in St. Thomas, we continue to support innovative housing projects to give those in need a home no matter their budget or background.”
Located at 16 Queen Street, the four-storey, 45 one-bedroom apartment building will contain commercial and program space on the ground floor including a laundry room, nurse station, kitchen and bike storage with three floors of residential units above. Common outdoor balconies will be located on the upper floors. There is also a fire station on the ground floor. The building is being built to the highest energy standards, which could reduce the energy consumption by up to 85 per cent. The site is close to the downtown core with access to public transit, parks, schools, grocery stores, pharmacies and employment opportunities.
This site will provide staff support seven days a week from an interdisciplinary team. Supports offered in these programs may include nutritional support, medication assistance, clinical services, and peer community support services.
As highlighted in Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, today’s announcement is part of SSRF, which has provided $1 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. SSRF is one of the biggest investments the province has made in affordable housing and homelessness supports in Ontario’s history.
“I’m pleased that the Ontario government has recognized our much-needed supportive housing initiatives” said Mayor Joe Preston. “The funding provided will ensure we are able to help our most vulnerable residents by providing them a safe, supportive place to live.”
“As the housing service manager for St. Thomas and Elgin County, the city is acutely aware of the challenges of finding attainable and affordable housing with supports for citizens in our community,” said Heather Sheridan, Director, St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services. “Working in partnership with service providers like Indwell helps to create new and exciting housing options. We acknowledge the province’s support in making this a reality in our community!”
“We’re grateful that our province is recognizing the immense need for supportive housing,” said Jeff Neven, CEO at Indwell. “We’ve already seen fantastic community impact from our first program in St. Thomas, and we’re excited about what’s next for our new tenants — and the people of St. Thomas.”
Quick Facts
- The City of St. Thomas has been allocated over $8 million through Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund, which is designed to help service managers and Indigenous program administrators deliver critical services, such as shelters, food banks, funding for rental arrears and housing.
- The City of St. Thomas also received over $2.5 million in 2020-21 through the joint federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement, and $1.1 million in provincial COVID-19 financial relief for municipalities to address ongoing COVID-19 operating costs, help ensure the delivery of critical services and keep capital projects on track.
- Since 2019, Ontario has provided $525 million to help expand access to the provincial mental health and addictions system in every community. This funding builds on the province’s $176 million investment in the Roadmap to Wellness, a comprehensive plan to build a fully connected mental health and addictions system across the province.
Source Province of Ontario
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