The provincial government is providing $10 million in new annual funding to provide Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate long-term housing solutions for urban communities.
The money can be used for supportive housing, transitional housing, rent supplements, housing allowances and emergency shelters.
Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford says the funding is also earmarked for mental health and addiction programs, harm reduction services and crisis intervention and prevention services.
Rickford says, “Indigenous people remain over-represented amongst the most vulnerable and certainly in various communities across Ontario homeless.”
He adds, “Opportunities to improve mental health outcomes, sustain housing and shelter opportunities for those individuals and take another important step in the multi-faceted approach to true reconciliation.”
Rickford says, “The need for wrap around supports, in addition to shelter, one of the most basic things that needs to be in place before someone can get any real meaningful care services and program access, has never been greater.”
Rickford believes the additional funding will help address the homelessness situation facing area communities.
The investment is a partnership with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services and Miziwe Biik Development Corporation.
