Homelessness Prevention Support Increase for Bruce & Grey Counties

Province’s additional investment will help people at risk


For Immediate Release

April 13, 2023



OWEN SOUND – 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 additional funding includes:

County of Bruce - $1,536,900 (increased by $599,400)
County of Grey - $3,282,800 (increased by $1,237,200)


"This investment will make a real impact to support housing providers that help vulnerable people either at risk or already experiencing homelessness in our community," said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers.



The additional funding, announced in the 2023 Budget, represents a 40 per cent increase in funding by the government to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention services. Under the $202 million, $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.



The remaining $11.5 million each year will be invested in the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program (ISHP), which provides Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate long-term housing solutions and support services to Indigenous people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.



“We know Ontario’s housing supply crisis impacts all Ontarians, no matter their background or budget,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why we’ve increased funding for our homelessness prevention programs by more than 40 per cent. These measures complement the bold and transformational change we are implementing to tackle the housing supply crisis and get more homes built faster across Ontario.”



“During a time of economic challenges and change, our government is supporting those who have fallen on hard times and are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessness,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Ontario’s 2023 Budget: Building a Strong Ontario is the right plan to support those who need it the most today while laying a strong fiscal foundation for future generations.”



“The Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supporting Housing Program are important steps that our government is taking to support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “Through this investment, the most vulnerable, as well as our local communities, can have confidence in the access to needed supports.”



“Through strong partnerships and quality investment, Bruce County is able to build a strong housing response system for vulnerable residents,” said Bruce County Warden Chris Peabody. "Anyone that is homeless, or at risk of homelessness, is encouraged to contact local 211 services to secure a safe place to stay for the night, and learn about other services that may support residents in maintaining their current housing in Bruce County.”



“This funding announcement represents an increase of 60 percent over last year and is part of this Government’s strong commitment to investing in housing supports for our most vulnerable in these uncertain times,” said Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson.



“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Grey County Warden Brian Milne. “Housing and homelessness prevention are a priority for Grey County, and this additional support for municipalities will help us work together to increase the supply of housing and tackle the homelessness crisis in Ontario.”



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.


“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 support and job training,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister for Housing. “Our government met with partners and stakeholders across the province this past fall – we heard their concerns and are addressing their valuable feedback to improve Ontario’s supportive housing system.



The changes also address the recommendation in the Auditor General’s 2021 value-for-money audit on homelessness, which called for a better funding model for homelessness programs that would target areas where funding is most needed.

QUICK FACTS
In order to access HPP funding, Service Managers must have in place a comprehensive and up-to-date By-Name List of people experiencing homelessness, along with information about their needs. This is to ensure that Service Managers have the up-to-date information they need from individuals experiencing homelessness to help connect people the right housing and supports as soon as they are available.
Through the Community Housing Renewal Strategy, response to COVID-19 and homelessness initiatives, over the past three years Ontario invested nearly $4.4 billion for community and supportive housing while addressing homelessness and the impacts of the pandemic for vulnerable Ontarians.
In 2022, the government introduced the More Homes Built Faster Act, which takes bold action to address the housing crisis by building 1.5 million homes by 2031. The plan also has measures to reduce municipal charges for housing providers looking to build non-profit and affordable housing for vulnerable Ontarians.

2023-04-13

Ontario Connecting Long-Term Care Residents in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound to Specialized Care and Supports

Investment providing supports in long-term care homes instead of hospitals

NEWS

April 13, 2023



OWEN SOUND — The Ontario government is investing $139,772 in 5 projects in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound to help seniors with complex medical needs like dementia and bariatric care connect to specialized care and supports in their long-term care home instead of a hospital. This is part of a $20 million investment this year in 189 projects provincewide through a new Local Priorities Fund operated by Ontario Health.

“This investment, tailored to the needs of our community, will provide long-term care residents right here in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound with the specialized supports and services they need,” said Rick Byers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “Under Premier Doug Ford’s leadership, we’re taking action to bolster our province’s long-term care system and put residents’ needs first.”



Some of the local projects will do this by helping residents get the specialized care they need in their long-term care home without having to go to the emergency room or be admitted to hospital. Others will support the admission into homes of people who no longer require acute care in hospital, but who have complex needs that can be difficult to accommodate without specialized services and supports.

The projects in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound receiving funding are:

· $76,991 to Lee Manor and Rockwood Terrace for the purchase of 3 interim bed licenses to support the admission of Alternate Level of Care hospital patients;

· $7,342 to Meaford Long-Term Care Centre and $7,342 to Gateway Haven for the purchase of a bladder scanner to prevent avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations; and

· $42,805 to Gateway Haven and $5,292 to Meaford Long-Term Care Centre for the purchase of bariatric equipment to support the admission of residents with bariatric care needs.



“Our government is increasing our investment in bold, creative, and innovative solutions that conveniently connect long-term care residents to the specialized care they need in the comfort of their long-term care home instead of a hospital,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Initiatives like the Local Priorities Fund ensure Ontarians are being connected with the right care in the right place, close to their family and friends.”

The Local Priorities Fund is part of an investment of over $120 million in 2022-23 to provide access to a range of specialized services and supports that are helping long-term care residents with complex needs access connected and convenient care in the right place.



The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. This work is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and providing seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.





QUICK FACTS

Ontario’s over $120 million investment in specialized services and supports in 2022-23 includes up to $20 million for the Ontario Health Local Priorities Fund referenced in today’s announcement, $5.91 million for four new Behavioural Specialized Units in long-term care homes, an additional $5 million for Behavioural Supports Ontario, $2.6 million for Baycrest’s Virtual Behaviour Medicine program, and $4.5 million to build dedicated spaces for health care at a new seniors’ housing complex in Kenora.
§ Through a $6.4 billion investment, the province is adding nearly 60,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds and increasing the amount of care residents receive so seniors can live with dignity. This will increase the number of available beds to help address wait lists for long-term care and ensure seniors are being cared for in the right place, where they can connect to more supports and recreational and social activities that may not be available if they are being cared for in a hospital while waiting to move into a long-term care home.

The province has also made a $4.9 billion commitment over four years to increase the average daily direct care time provided by nurses and personal support workers to four hours per resident by March 31, 2025. This also includes increasing the system average direct care provided by allied health professionals to 36 minutes per resident per day by March 31, 2023. As part of this commitment, the Ontario government provided $673 million to long-term care homes in 2022-23 and is providing $1.25 billion to long-term care homes in 2023-24 to hire and retain thousands of long-term care staff across the province.
MEDIA CONTACT



Jake Roseman
Office of the Minister of Long-Term Care
Jake.Roseman@ontario.ca



Ministry of Long-Term Care Media Line
Communications Branch
MLTC.Media@ontario.ca