Ontario Increasing Support for Homelessness Prevention in Lambton County

Province’s additional investment will help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

NEWS                                                                                                                                                            April 11, 2023

Lambton County — The Ontario government is investing an additional $202 million annually in the province’s Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program, bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment in these programs to close to $700 million. The additional funding will help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and support community organizations delivering supportive housing.

This includes an increase of $2,045,100 for the County of Lambton, bringing total homelessness prevention program funding for the municipality to $5,615,600. That represents an increase of 57 percent over the previous year’s funding.

“This is extremely important new funding for our community and will help in the effort to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home,” said Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey. “The Ontario government continues to take the necessary steps to address the growing challenge of homelessness in Lambton County and across the province.”

“As the cost of living rises, our government is building a stronger Ontario that leaves no one behind,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “This investment will ensure some of the most vulnerable members of our community will have access to the support they need to have a roof over their heads and a place they can call home.”

The additional funding, announced in the 2023 Budget, represents a 40 percent increase in funding by the government to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention services. Under the $202 million, $190.5 million each year will be allocated to the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP), which gives Ontario’s 47 Service Managers greater flexibility to allocate funding and make better use of existing resources to focus on delivering supports.

The remaining $11.5 million each year will be invested in the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program (ISHP), which provides Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate long-term housing solutions and support services to Indigenous people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“We know Ontario’s housing supply crisis impacts all Ontarians, no matter their background or budget,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why we’ve increased funding for our homelessness prevention programs by more than 40 per cent. These measures complement the bold and transformational change we are implementing to tackle the housing supply crisis and get more homes built faster across Ontario.”

“During a time of economic challenges and change, our government is supporting those who have fallen on hard times and are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessness,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Ontario’s 2023 Budget: Building a Strong Ontario is the right plan to support those who need it the most today while laying a strong fiscal foundation for future generations.”

The increased funding is a result of a revised funding model that better reflects the current needs of individuals who are facing homelessness across Ontario. Funding dollars are being increased to address increased needs, particularly during a time of rising inflation, and to help ensure that no service manager receives a decrease in funding compared to 2022-23 as a result of the transition to the new model.
 
“Supportive housing provides people in need with a roof over their heads. It also connects them with services that provide a hand up to improve their circumstances, including mental health support and job training,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister for Housing. “Our government met with partners and stakeholders across the province this past fall. We heard their concerns and are addressing their valuable feedback to improve Ontario’s supportive housing system. This investment will make a real impact to support housing providers that help vulnerable Ontarians each and every day.”

The changes also address the recommendation in the Auditor General’s 2021 value-for-money audit on homelessness, which called for a better funding model for homelessness programs that would target areas where funding is needed most.

In addition to reducing costs in other sectors, supportive housing provides people in Ontario with an opportunity to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Ontario will continue to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention services to help those most in need.

QUICK FACTS

 
 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Bob Bailey, MPP
519-337-0051

bob.bailey@pc.ola.org