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RELEASE DATE:
April 21, 2023
The Ontario government is investing an additional $202 million annually in the Province’s Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supporting 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 a $3.5 million investment in 2023-24 for the County of Renfrew’s Community Services Department, nearly doubling the previous year’s funding allocation. The funds from this program are used to cover a variety of housing and homelessness supports that help with housing acquisition, retention, and affordability. The County of Renfrew’s Homelessness Prevention Program includes funding for emergencies, rent allowances, and essential home repairs. More information about these programs can be found at the Community Services section of the County’s website.
“This increase in funding demonstrates our government’s commitment to addressing the housing supply crisis, which we know impacts individuals across Ontario,” said Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, following the funding announcement which was part of the 2023 Ontario Budget. “Investing in programs that support housing affordability and security will help Renfrew County residents to stay housed safely in our community.”
The additional funding represents a 40 per cent increase in provincial funding to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention services across Ontario. Under the $202 million investment, $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.
“We are extremely grateful for this injection of funding as it will increase the number of households we are able to assist and have a positive impact on the wellness of low-income households in Renfrew County,” said County of Renfrew Warden Peter Emon. “These funds will certainly help with our plans to create affordable housing in Renfrew County and allow us to develop more supportive housing stock and housing options. The government listened when we spoke of the need and provided the funding to allow us to work toward solutions.”
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 growing 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 because of the transition to the new model.
Ontario will continue to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention services to help those most in need.
Through this announcement, the County of Renfrew is pleased the Province has also provided details about funding allocations for the two following fiscal years which will assist in planning purposes for ongoing and seamless program delivery.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Kelley Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk 613-735-7288
Laura LePine Director, Community Services 613-735-7288
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