Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing says the province changed its model to help increase support for homelessness across the province and that will help the issue in North Bay.
The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is receiving $3 million out of the $202 million in provincial funding which is part of the province's Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) and Indigenous Supporting Housing Program, bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment in these programs close to $700 million.
That brings the DNSSAB funding in 2023-24 to $5.3 million.
“Supportive housing provides people in need with a roof over their heads. It also connects them with services that provide a hand up to improve their circumstances, including mental health supports,” said Fedeli.
“Our government heard DNSSAB’s concerns, and we are addressing their valuable feedback to improve the local supportive housing system with a 127 per cent increase in funding.”
Mark King, chair of the DNSSAB says Fedeli listened to their funding concerns and then actedx.
"This brings stability in a whole bunch of directions," said King.
“The funding provided to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) through the Homelessness Prevention Program will allow the DNSSAB to initiate long-term planning for the priorities identified in the 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, the Homelessness Action Plan, and the District’s Built for Zero Action Plan, while providing critical stabilization of operational funding for the unique supportive housing model that has been developed at Northern Pines."
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 increased 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 as a result of the transition to the new model.
