The Ontario government is providing $7.3 million to help create safe and affordable housing in York Region.
The social services relief funding will be used to build about 24 modular transitional housing units — with onsite services and counselling supports — for vulnerable people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“Our government’s $765 million Social Services Relief Fund was designed to provide immediate housing and homelessness program relief in communities across Ontario so that we can keep people safe and housed,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “It is critical that we fund innovative housing projects that can be completed rapidly to give those in need a safe place to call home as soon as possible.”
Approximately 16 units will be located in East Gwillimbury on the same site as an existing emergency shelter for families. About another eight units will be located in Georgina and will be specifically geared to young people experiencing homelessness, with supports provided by the Salvation Army, which operates a youth shelter at the site.
The mix of one and two-bedroom suites will include accessibility features such as exterior ramps, barrier-free showers and wheelchair accessible sinks. A full 15 per cent of all units will be fully accessible.
“Housing is a fundamental need,” York Region Chair Wayne Emmerson said. “It supports positive health and connects residents to the economy, transportation systems and community services. Thanks to the provincial government’s continued support of our most vulnerable residents, York Region can further invest in affordable transitional housing that helps those at risk of homelessness and those experiencing homelessness achieve long-term housing stability and independence.”
York Region will be launching community consultations on the modular housing projects and construction is expected to begin in late May and be completed by December 2021.
