2014 Orazietti crop

Supplied by Sault MPP David Orazietti…
Sault Ste. Marie – The provincial government is working to end homelessness in Sault Ste. Marie by helping families and individuals stay in their homes or get the housing they need, announced David Orazietti MPP today.

“Our government is committed to ending homelessness in Ontario,” said Orazietti.  “The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative gives our city the flexibility to address local priorities and better meet the needs of individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

Sault Ste. Marie is receiving $2,815,487 in provincial funding over two years through the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI).

The CHPI initiative helps families and individuals at risk of homelessness stay in their homes or get the housing they need, through a wider range of services and homelessness prevention programs that meet local needs. These include:

” Emergency financial assistance to prevent eviction
” Long-term and transitional housing
” Integrated supportive housing to help people with specific needs access suitable housing.

“This is great news for the community of Sault Ste. Marie to receive the ongoing commitment of Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative funding from the province. The current level of funding surpasses the province’s previous increased funding level showing a continued commitment to end homelessness,” said Jeff Barban, Director of Housing Services – Social Services, Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSMSSAB).  “The increased funding will allow the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board to continue to address the strategic directions outlined in our 10 year Housing and Homelessness plan and has led to the success of providing the much needed support services to end homelessness in our community.”

Last year, this initiative helped almost 40,000 families and individuals experiencing homelessness obtain housing, and helped over 115,000 families and individuals at-risk of homelessness remain in their homes.

Preventing homelessness is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUICK FACTS
”    The province is providing an additional $15 million each year over the next two years in CHPI funding to municipalities, bringing our government’s annual investment to almost $324 million by 2018

” The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) builds on Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy and is transforming the housing system by helping those experiencing homelessness obtain housing, and those at-risk of homelessness stay in their homes.
” Every $15 million invested in CHPI is estimated to support about 2,600 individuals and families experiencing homelessness to obtain housing, or allow 14,200 households remain stably housed.
” Since 2003, Ontario has committed more than $4 billion to affordable housing. This includes the recent federal-provincial partnership to extend the Investment in Affordable Housing program.
” Ontario is supporting the creation of more than 20,000 affordable rental housing units, making more than 275,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units, and providing rental and down payment assistance to over 90,000 families and individuals.

LEARN MORE
”  Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy
”  Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy