Ontario Providing More Housing Support in the County of Simcoe to Help Wind Down Encampments
Increased funding will help individuals find housing and free up shelter space where it is needed most
January 28, 2025 – For Immediate Release
SIMCOE COUNTY, ON — Today, MPP’s Doug Downey, Jill Dunlop, Andrea Khanjin, Caroline Mulroney and Brian Saunderson were pleased to announce that the Ontario government is providing the County of Simcoe with an additional $81,869.00 in funding through the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) to help individuals and families secure the affordable housing they need, right now. This brings the total COHB funding for the County of Simcoe to $1,116.969.00 in 2024/25
This funding is part of the previously announced $75.5 million in top-up funding to free up shelter space where it is needed most and help people in encampments move quickly from crisis into safer accommodation and ultimately stable, long-term housing.
“This funding will help the County of Simcoe address the complex issue of encampments and address the specific needs of the people residing within them.
We are continuing to work with all levels of government to ensure that those experiencing homelessness have access to proper supports and stable housing.”
– Hon. Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie – Springwater –Oro-Medonte
“We are thrilled to see the provincial top-up funding provided to the County of Simcoe through the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit. This additional support will directly help low-income families and individuals access stable, affordable housing, addressing an urgent need in Simcoe North and across our region. With growing demand for housing in the County of Simcoe, this investment will ensure that more residents can thrive in safe and secure homes. Together, we are building stronger, more resilient communities across our region.”
– Hon. Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North
“This Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit will go directly to people in need in our community so they can have more choice to find affordable rental housing” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “This funding will also support the County of Simcoe by reducing pressures on emergency shelter systems so they can help more people in need.”
– Hon. Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil
“Our government is significantly increasing supports to prevent homelessness and create longer-term housing solutions in Bradford and across Simcoe County,” said Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York-Simcoe,“ Because of our investments in the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, more shelter space will be available for those most in need.”
– Hon. Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York-Simcoe
“Homelessness is a serious, complex and growing problem in communities across our Province and in Simcoe-Grey. Our Government is committed to supporting and collaborating with Simcoe County and our municipal partners to provide critical funding that goes directly to those in need and that is flexible and portable.”
– Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
COHB is a portable benefit that goes directly to people in need so they can have more choice to find affordable rental housing. The funding also supports municipalities by reducing pressures on emergency shelter systems so they can help more people in need.
QUOTES
“When the County created its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Plan, we knew it had to be a data-informed plan that was ambitious while respecting taxpayers’ dollars. We know that homelessness remains an ongoing challenge across the region and in communities across Ontario, but it is a challenge that, through this announcement and ongoing support provided by the Province, is one that can be mitigated. We thank the Province of Ontario for reaffirming its commitment to the COHB program to support unsheltered people living in encampments and shelters and helping us create successful transitions to safe and stable housing. The announcement of the top-up to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit will further increase the positive flow of individuals towards permanent housing. The County intends to use additional resources to get people housed quickly and create more space in the system.”
– Basil Clarke, Warden County of Simcoe
“The County of Simcoe has been steadfast in its commitment to supporting those living unhoused through targeted investments made through our data-backed 10-point Homelessness Prevention Plan. We are incredibly grateful for the Ontario Government’s increased funding commitments through the COHB program that will help us increase our efforts to move residents who have been living “rough”, in encampments, or staying in shelters to more stable housing outcomes. These types of investments help us to find new, innovative solutions while providing ongoing support and services to those who need us the most.”
– Mina Fayez-Bahgat, GM – Social & Community Services Division County of Simcoe
“This funding will help the County of Simcoe wind down encampment sites, which are a public safety concern and not a solution to homelessness,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Mayors have asked us for help in managing this complex issue and that is why we are providing additional funding to those municipalities that have committed to use the investment to clear encampments and provide people in need with safer accommodation quickly.”
The province has also invited municipalities to apply for part of a $70 million fund to create additional long-term affordable housing units and expand shelter capacity. Funding will be allocated based on need and dependent on a written pledge from the local service manager to utilize the funds towards winding down encampments and providing access to safer accommodation in their community.
QUICK FACTS
- COHB provides funding directly to house holds that are on, or eligible to be on, a social housing waiting list and to households in financial need living in community housing. This benefit helps individuals and families who may be at risk of homelessness to secure and stay in a rental home that meets their needs.
- COHB is jointly funded by the federal government through the National Housing Strategy and is provincially delivered. Funding for the program is confirmed through 2027-28.
- In 2023-24, Ontario provided nearly $656.1 million in much-needed provincial and federal funding through initiatives under the National Housing Strategy to maintain and create more community housing.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Learn more about affordable housing in Ontario and find your local service manager to see what housing supports are available in your community.
Read the 2024 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario.