Ontario Increasing Investments in Supportive Housing in Lambton County

April 6, 2022

The Ontario government has successfully negotiated with the federal government to provide over $127 million through a fifth round of the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) that will add to rent banks, keep vulnerable Ontarians housed, and create long-term housing solutions in response to increased need for services during COVID-19.

This includes $1,130,200 in funding for the County of Lambton.

This brings Ontario’s total investment through SSRF to date to nearly $1.2 billion, one of the biggest investments we have made in supportive housing and homelessness supports in the province’s history.

“Over the last two years, the Ontario government has supported Lambton County with $10,527,292 in funding through the Social Services Relief Fund to help vulnerable residents in Lambton County find housing,” commented Bob Bailey, MPP Sarnia-Lambton. “I am extremely pleased that our government continues to help our municipal partners with funding to deliver critical services, support vulnerable people, and unlock affordable housing in their communities.”

“Our government’s Social Services Relief Fund is providing immediate housing and homelessness relief in communities across Ontario,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Supporting innovative solutions is critical as we work to keep our most vulnerable safe and housed, both during the pandemic and into the future.”

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 nearly $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help municipalities and Indigenous program partners create longer-term housing solutions anwd help vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

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 historic investments to increase the supply of supportive and affordable housing for the most vulnerable. As part of the consultations through the Community Housing Renewal Strategy, the government is working with service managers and housing providers to make community housing more efficient and sustainable – helping to protect essential community housing stock and ensure Ontario’s most vulnerable people remain housed.

QUICK FACTS

  • The province continues to advocate for municipalities to receive their fair share of funding from the federal government, which is underfunding Ontario by approximately $490 million under the National Housing Strategy and Reaching Home program. These additional revenues would flow to municipal service providers to ensure vulnerable Ontarians can access the housing they need.
  • Beginning in 2022-23, Ontario’s combined investment through the Homelessness Prevention Program and the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program is almost $494 million. The investments can be used to fund the operation of supportive housing created through the Social Services Relief Fund which is helping to create approximately 1,200 new supportive housing units.
  • To inform Ontario’s More Homes for Everyone plan, the government conducted a three-part consultation with the public, municipalities and industry, including a report from the Housing Affordability Task Force that will serve as Ontario’s long-term housing roadmap.

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