Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is providing $270,000 in operational funding for 40 new supportive housing units in Mississauga, on top of $4.5 million in capital funding to help build the 40-unit development.
This additional funding will help connect more people who are in need of mental health and addictions supports with places to live, while also helping them get the services they need, closer to home, while reducing the number of visits to emergency rooms and hospitals.
“With this investment, we’re helping some of our most vulnerable, providing them with a place to call home and an opportunity for a better life,” said Premier Doug Ford. “At a time when the province is growing at unprecedented speed, having added 500,000 new residents last year alone, our government is taking action to build more homes of all types, including a mix of ownership, rental, non-profit and supportive housing that meet the needs of all Ontarians.”
The Streetsville project, managed by Indwell Community Homes, will provide services to individuals over the age of 18 with histories of mental health, addiction and housing instability.
“Our government will continue working with all our partners across this province to ensure the most vulnerable members of our society have access to safe and secure housing.” said Steve Clark, minister of municipal affairs and housing. “The funding announced today builds on our historic levels of investment in supportive housing and homelessness prevention, which recognizes each municipality’s unique needs.”
The province is also investing an additional $202 million each year in homelessness prevention programs for a total of about $700 million.
“Indwell is so pleased to expand our partnership with the Ministry of Health and our allied partners in health and housing,” Indwell CEO Jeff Neven said in a statement. “With the announced funds, we will have the capacity to open more doors to people in Mississauga – supportive homes for 40 people.
“Every day Indwell continues to receive calls to create more supportive housing and every day we see the healing and wellness that comes from access to good, affordable housing and healthcare for our most vulnerable neighbours.”