The province is increasing annual funding for its Homelessness Prevention Program and it means an additional $3 million locally.
Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, says it represents a 127% increase in funding for the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB).
The money will help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and support the delivery of supportive housing.
Fedeli says it’s part of a province-wide increase, with lobbying here at home leading the way.
“DNSSAB really was the pointy end of the spear,” Fedeli says. “They were the front line that made a difference in convincing the province to add the $202 million annually and $3 million of it ended up here in Nipissing.”
The additional money brings DNSSAB’s total homelessness prevention funding to $5.3 million for 2023-24.
Mark King, DNSSAB Chair, says this is a tremendous announcement and an emotional one as they’ve been working at it for a long time.
“This money just stabilizes the DNSSAB budget,” he says. “It will also have an impact on all the regional governments next budget term because we’ve got the operational money in place to make this work.”
King says along with providing stable operational funding for supportive housing at Northern Pines, it will allow the board to initiate long-term planning for the priorities identified in various housing and homelessness action plans.