Ontario Providing More Housing in Thunder Bay
Province investing $2.1 million to support Indigenous people
Thunder Bay — The Ontario government is providing $2.1 million to help create 21 transitional housing units for Indigenous people enrolled in educational programs at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre. This will create new opportunities for skills and further education for Indigenous people across the northwest. The building is within walking distance to Thunder Bay’s downtown, shopping, parks transit and employment opportunities.
“Our government’s policies have delivered historic results in getting more homes built faster and complement our nearly $4.4 billion investments in community and supportive housing over the past three years. We are also continuing to work to expand access to mental health and addictions support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Indigenous housing is a critical component of our commitment to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years, which will ensure that all Ontarians, especially our most vulnerable, have a home that meets their needs and budget.”
The Matawa Training and Wellness Centre will be located in a former long-term care home at 523 Algoma Street North, Thunder Bay. The renovated building will include a trades school, secondary school courses as well as family programing.
Residents of Matawa Training and Wellness Centre will have access to laundry facilities as well as a community kitchen for three daily meals. Programs they can participate in include cooking lessons, job training, life skills, financial literacy training, traditional and cultural activities.
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 partners create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“I am pleased that our government is following through on our promise to get shovels in the ground for projects such as this,” said Kevin Holland, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This commitment will help the most vulnerable in our society, as well as those from Indigenous communities in the North. This project is long overdue and will provide the residents of our communities with the support that they require.”
The Ontario government is also investing almost $25 million annually in our new Homelessness Prevention Program. The new program simplifies and streamlines operations so municipal service managers can spend less time on paperwork and more time working with their clients to help find housing and other supports and help those at risk of homelessness stay in their homes. The additional funding brings Ontario’s total yearly investment in the program to close to $464 million.