NIAGARA FALLS — The Ontario government is providing almost $4 million to help create 25 supportive housing units in the city of Niagara Falls that will support individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness.
Located at 5528 Buchanan Avenue, the two-storey, newly renovated, former motel includes bachelor apartments for individuals, larger accommodations for families, as well as accessible units. The supportive housing complex also includes space for counselling and social programming for tenants.
The funding was announced by Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Housing.
Excited to celebrate a $4M investment through the Social Services Relief Fund, creating 25 supportive housing units for individuals & families experiencing homelessness in #Niagara.
It’s another shining example of our commitment to ensuring safe & stable housing for all. pic.twitter.com/PTmyzsFpLa
— Nina Tangri (@ninatangri) August 31, 2023
“Our government’s housing plan is about creating more homes for the people of Ontario, including supportive housing that is critical to the well-being of both residents and the community,” said Associate Minister Nina Tangri. “This investment through the Social Services Relief Fund will help provide longer-term housing solutions for some of the most vulnerable residents in Niagara Region, making a real difference in the lives of people in this community.”
Residents will be close to public transportation, parks, grocery stores, pharmacies, the hospital, and employment opportunities.
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 administrators create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable people in Ontario, including those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
The Ontario government is also investing an additional $202 million each year in homelessness prevention programs – the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program – bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment to close to $700 million. This includes an increase of over $9.6 million through the Homelessness Prevention Program for Niagara Region, bringing the total to nearly $21 million annually.
Quick Facts
- Niagara Region has been allocated over $21 million through all phases of the Social Services Relief Fund to deliver critical services such as shelters, food banks and emergency services.
- Service managers and Indigenous program administrators have the flexibility to allocate provincial funding to programs and services that address and prevent homelessness in their communities, such as rent supplements, homeless shelters, and supportive housing including capital projects.
Quotes
“Our government’s policies have delivered historic results in getting more homes built faster and addressing homelessness. Increasing community, affordable, and supportive housing is a critical component of our commitment to build at least 1.5 million new homes by 2031, which will help all Ontarians, especially our most vulnerable, find a home that meets their needs and budget.”
– Steve Clark
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“Our government is working hard to ensure every person in Ontario has access to safe and affordable housing. This provincial funding for supportive housing units in the City of Niagara Falls will directly benefit individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness across our region.”
– Sam Oosterhoff
Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West
“Tackling homelessness requires day-to-day and also long-term solutions. This building supported by the Ontario Government will go a long way to create lasting change for those who need supports and housing. We are grateful for the real action that is being taken to build homes and establish supportive housing in our City.”
– Mayor Jim Diodati
City of Niagara Falls
“Niagara continues to see a significant increase in demand for housing every year. The Housing Master Plan estimated that Niagara will need to add more than 11,000 affordable housing units to support the forecasted demand by the year 2045. This retrofit project is a step in the right direction. It saw an unused motel transformed into a safe, affordable place to live; a place where tenants have access to supports and resources as they work towards their goals for a healthier life in our community. Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) is proud to be partnering with Niagara Region Homelessness Services in supporting Niagara’s most vulnerable with housing on Buchanan Avenue in Niagara Falls.”
– Gary Zalepa
Lord Mayor of Niagara on the Lake and Chair of the Niagara Regional Housing Board
“On behalf of Regional Council, I would like to thank the province for their generous contribution that helped to establish the Buchanan Permanent Supportive Housing facility in Niagara Falls. Through this successful provincial-Regional partnership, as many as 25 individuals with long histories of homelessness have access to round-the-clock programs and services that are designed to help move them into stable, permanent housing solutions. Partnerships like this between the Provincial Government and Niagara Region are just one of the many ways we are growing better together.”
– Jim Bradley
Niagara Regional Chair
SOURCE: Province of Ontario
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