Ontario Providing More Supportive Housing in Niagara

August 31, 2023

Thorold – The Ontario government is providing almost $4 million to help create twenty-five supportive housing units in the City of Niagara Falls that will support individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness.

Located at 5528 Buchanan Avenue in Niagara Falls, the two-storey, newly renovated, former motel includes bachelor apartments for individuals, larger accommodations for families, as well as accessible units. The supportive housing complex also includes space for counselling and social programming for tenants.

“Our government is working hard to ensure every person in Ontario has access to safe and affordable housing,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“This provincial funding for supportive housing units in the City of Niagara Falls will directly benefit individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness across our region.”

The funding was announced today at Niagara Region Headquarters in Thorold by Hon. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Housing.

“Our government’s housing plan is about creating more homes for the people of Ontario, including supportive housing that is critical to the well-being of both residents and the community,” said Minister Tangri.

“This investment through the Social Services Relief Fund will help provide longer-term housing solutions for some of the most vulnerable residents in Niagara, making a real difference in the lives of people in this community.”

Residents will be close to public transportation, parks, grocery stores, pharmacies, local health care providers and employment opportunities.

Today’s announcement is part of the province’s Social Services Relief Fund, which has provided over $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to help municipal service managers and Indigenous program administrators create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable people in Ontario, including those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.

The Ontario government is also investing an additional $202 million each year in homelessness prevention programs – the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program – bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment to close to $700 million. This includes an increase of over $9.6 million through the Homelessness Prevention Program for Niagara, bringing the total to nearly $21 million annually.