St. Thomas — The Ontario government has provided $927,831 to help convert an existing building into an emergency shelter in St. Thomas to support those experiencing homelessness.
Located at 10 Princess Avenue, the two-storey building contains 23 beds and provides support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to residents who are experiencing homelessness.
The shelter is creating a hub of services to meet the needs of the homeless, including mental health and addictions support, health care, harm reduction services and practical help such as identification replacement, social assistance and long-term housing solutions.
“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 building 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.”
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. The fund 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.
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.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement reaffirms our government’s commitment to the people of St. Thomas, with a major investment of nearly $1 million to support residents at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The service hub included in this project is a critical resource for those in our community seeking mental health and addictions support, health care, harm reduction services, and other practical assistance. I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to helping all Ontarians find housing that meets their needs, and will continue working tirelessly to deliver funding and investment for our community.”
– Rob Flack
MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London
“It is always reassuring to see collaboration and investment from our upper levels of government as we continue to work together to address the needs of vulnerable individuals in our City. We all have a role to play to ensure that nobody in need of safety and shelter gets left behind. We have welcomed this funding in support of the Inn and the stability and safety it has brought for people experiencing homelessness or struggling with other challenges such as mental health or disability. I want to express my gratitude to everyone at all levels of government for making this a priority and bringing this benefit to our community over the last 9 months.”
– Joe Preston
Mayor of St. Thomas
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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