The Ontario government has disclosed that it is investing an additional $2.9 million for the Miziwe Biik Development Corporation – for a total of $10.4 million annually – to support homelessness prevention efforts in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) through the province’s Indigenous Supportive Housing Program (ISHP).
A release by the government said this funding is part of Ontario’s historic $202 million increase in homelessness prevention funding through the 2023 Budget for a total of $695 million annually. Of this total, approximately $41.5 million is being distributed through the ISHP: $10.4 million through Miziwe Biik Development Corporation and $31.1 million through Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS). The remaining $653.9 million is being distributed to service managers across the province through the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP).
Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the announcement “demonstrates our government’s commitment to tackling homelessness in Ontario and ending the housing supply crisis”.
“I’m grateful to Miziwe Biik and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services for the fantastic work they do providing safe and secure housing to Indigenous people in Ontario, and I’m proud that our government has been able to deliver this timely and historic support.”
Established in 2004, Miziwe Biik Development Corporation serves the Indigenous community in the GTA with funding opportunities for affordable rental development including supportive housing, down payment assistance for homeownership, and rental supports and services through community partnerships and programs.
Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services provides Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate long-term housing solutions and support services to Indigenous people experiencing or at risk of homelessness outside the GTA.
“Along with improving access to transit, quality jobs and services in urban centres, our government is improving access to safe housing while supporting homelessness prevention,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs.
“We are confident that this investment will result in better outcomes for urban Indigenous populations, and we thank Miziwe Biik and the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services for their continued partnership as we invest in communities across the province.”
“Miziwe Biik Development Corporation values the relationship we have built with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing,” said Nancy Martin, President of Miziwe Biik Development Corporation. “Their ongoing support for Indigenous housing in the GTA has led to increasing housing stock. Increased housing transforms the economic outlook of the Indigenous community in the GTA, as a foundation for better opportunities and a better quality of life.”
“Miziwe Biik Development Corporation gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in their provision of housing programs that align with the unique housing needs of the GTA’s Indigenous community,” said Lorna Lawrence, Executive Director of Miziwe Biik Development Corporation. “Flexibility to develop housing and provide supports and services that enhance housing stability enables us to address housing gaps and provide long-term housing solutions.”
In addition to reducing costs in other sectors, supportive housing provides people in Ontario with an opportunity to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. The government said it will continue to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention services to help those most in need.
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