The Ontario government is providing almost $4.4 million through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) to help create 39 affordable housing units in Sault Ste. Marie that will support people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
The Community Resource Centre Project, located at 721 Wellington Street East, is a former elementary school that will be converted into a shelter with 39 housing units funded by the province. The funding was announced by Kevin Holland, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, on behalf of Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie.
“Our government’s policies have delivered historic results in getting more homes built faster to create community and supportive housing, respond to COVID-19, and address homelessness over the past three years,” said Minister Clark. “We are also continuing to work to expand access to mental health and addiction support for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Community and supportive housing is a critical component of our commitment to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, which will ensure that all Ontarians, especially our most vulnerable, have a home that meets their needs and budget.”
“I’m pleased to announce this important funding alongside MPP Romano,” said Kevin Holland Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “It reinforces our government’s commitment to support all parts of Ontario – including the north – and help vulnerable Ontarians find a home that meets their unique needs.”
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 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 Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
The Ontario government is also investing an additional $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.
