NEWS RELEASE
ANDREA KHANJIN, BARRIE-INNISFIL MPP
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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 $1,923,200 for Simcoe County, bringing the total invested in Simcoe Country through the SSRF to $17,914,016.
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.
“My heart always goes out to those that are struggling with homelessness,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP of Barrie-Innisfil. “The housing shortage affects all Ontarians, no matter their current living situation or background. Supporting our municipalities in protecting the most vulnerable, increasing rental supply, and creating long-term housing solutions is critical. This funding means that Simcoe County will be better positioned to help more people with housing needs.”
“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.”
“It is of utmost importance that we support our municipalities to ensure they have the additional resources needed to assist our most vulnerable,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP of Simcoe North. “The extension of the SSRF will help municipal service managers and Indigenous program partners create long-term housing solutions and grow rental opportunities. I am proud to be a part of a government committed to one of the biggest investments made in the province’s history in supportive housing and homelessness supports.”
“This announcement shows the Ontario government’s continued commitment to addressing the housing crisis. Throughout the past four years, this government has dedicated nearly $1.2 billion to the Social Services Relief Fund, in order to help keep the vulnerable in Ontario housed, and create long-term strategies that will address this ongoing crisis,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte. “This funding also shows our government is committed to working with our municipal partners to address their needs locally, and ensuring each level of government is involved in creating innovative solutions.”
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 and 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 under-funding 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 road map.
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