Thunder Bay — The Ontario government is providing $2.1 million to help create 21 transitional housing units for Indigenous people enrolled in educational programs at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre. This will create new opportunities for skills and further education for Indigenous people across the northwest. The building is within walking distance to Thunder Bay’s downtown, shopping, parks transit and employment opportunities.
“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. “Indigenous 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.”
A real pleasure to be with @KHollandMPP in Thunder Bay yesterday to announce $2.1 million supporting 21 transitional housing units at the Matawa Training & Wellness Centre.
This will create new opportunities to grow skills & further education for local residents. pic.twitter.com/2EPUUfHtLK
— Steve Clark (@SteveClarkPC) October 18, 2022
The Matawa Training and Wellness Centre will be located in a former long-term care home at 523 Algoma Street North, Thunder Bay. The renovated building will include a trades school, secondary school courses as well as family programing.
Residents of Matawa Training and Wellness Centre will have access to laundry facilities as well as a community kitchen for three daily meals. Programs they can participate in include cooking lessons, job training, life skills, financial literacy training, traditional and cultural activities.
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 municipal service managers and Indigenous program partners create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“I am pleased that our government is following through on our promise to get shovels in the ground for projects such as this,” said Kevin Holland, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This commitment will help the most vulnerable in our society, as well as those from Indigenous communities in the North. This project is long overdue and will provide the residents of our communities with the support that they require.”
The Ontario government is also investing almost $25 million annually in our new Homelessness Prevention Program. The new program simplifies and streamlines 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 close to $464 million.
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.
- The shortage of housing supply impacts all Ontarians, no matter their background or budget. The province’s ongoing work to increase the supply of market housing complements our historic investments to increase the supply of supportive and community housing for our most vulnerable Ontarians.
Quotes
“On behalf of the TBDSSAB Board of Directors, I am so pleased to continue this important partnership with Matawa. For many people, housing is about so much more than just having a roof over their head. Transitional housing offers the right combination of support, care, and community to help people live with dignity. We are so grateful to Matawa for taking on this important project, and to the province for the SSRF funding that made it possible.”
– Jody Davis
Vice-Chair, District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
“Matawa First Nations Management is pleased to be supported by the TBDSSAB through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs’ SSRF. This investment will allow us to add 21 transitional housing units at the MWTC for Indigenous families in crisis while providing wrap-around services to assist them as they work to address housing and food insecurity.”
– Rosemary Moonias
President, Matawa First Nations Management Board of Directors
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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