Ontario Creates Supportive Housing in Brockville

Almost $1.6 million to support vulnerable populations at risk or experiencing homelessness

NEWS RELEASE                                                              

April 8, 2022

BROCKVILLE — The Ontario government is providing almost $1.6 million to help create eight housing units, at Pixie Place in Brockville, to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in need of mental health and addictions supports.

The Ontario government has also successfully negotiated with the federal government to provide over $127 million through a fifth round of the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) that will add to rent banks, keep vulnerable Ontarians housed, and create long-term housing solutions in response to increased need for services during COVID-19. This includes $724,400 to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, which brings the total SSRF allocation to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville since March 2020 to over $6.7 million.

“Our government’s Social Services Relief Fund is providing immediate housing and homelessness relief in communities across Ontario,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP of Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “As Ontario turns the corner on COVID-19, Ontario continues to support innovative solutions like these new accessible housing units in Brockville to keep our most vulnerable safe and housed.”

Located at 100 Perth Street, a former church has been converted into eight bachelor apartments, with an internal office, called the Pixie Place Apartments. Two of the eight units will be barrier-free and an elevator has been constructed onto the rear of the building. Residents will be close to downtown and amenities such as public transportation, schools, parks, grocery stores, hospitals and employment opportunities.

As highlighted in Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, today’s announcement is part of the province’s Social Services Relief Fund, which has provided nearly $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to help municipalities and Indigenous program partners create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The Ontario government is also investing $25 million annually in our new Homelessness Prevention Program. The new program will simplify and streamline 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 – almost half a billion dollars.

Quotes

“On behalf of Brockville City Council, I am very pleased to see this valuable new facility coming to fruition. With heartfelt appreciation to all those involved in adding this much needed housing in or community.”

– Mike Kalivas, Mayor of Brockville

“The Joint Services Committee and Counties staff have been working hard at developing innovative solutions to the housing crisis and homelessness. These solutions require partnerships between all levels of government and local community agencies. Today’s showcase is an excellent example of how local solutions that are provincially supported can make a difference.”

– Warden Roger Haley, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

QUICK FACTS

• The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville have received $6,747,761 between 2020 and 2022 through SSRF.
• The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is receiving $1,592,300 through the new Homelessness Prevention Program in 2022-2023, a $177,333 since 2021-2022. Ontario’s new Homelessness Prevention Program launched on April 1, 2022.
• The shortage of housing supply impacts all Ontarians, no matter your background or budget. The province’s ongoing work to increase the supply of market housing complements our historic investments to increase the supply of supportive and affordable housing for our most vulnerable Ontarians.

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 2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
• See how your organization can help fight COVID-19.
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Erin Merkley

Constituency Assistant

erin.merkley@pc.ola.org