The Ontario government is providing over $6.2 million to help create safe and affordable housing for Indigenous people in Orillia.
The funding is being delivered through the Social Services Relief Fund and will support those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless during COVID-19.
Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, in partnership with the Métis Nation of Ontario, is using the funding to acquire two new innovative apartment buildings on Elgin Street, which house a total of 27 units and were built using repurposed shipping containers, which allowed the homes to be created faster and more cost-effectively.
“It is great to see Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services partner with the Métis Nation of Ontario to provide access to innovative and affordable housing right here in Orillia,” said Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues and MPP for Simcoe North. “In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and the new variants, we need to provide vulnerable people immediate access to housing so they can stay home and stay safe.”
The Métis Nation of Ontario will provide property management for the three-storey apartment buildings which contain a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, including two accessible units.
“Our government is proud to work alongside Indigenous organizations to increase access to affordable housing for Indigenous peoples and families in Orillia and across Ontario,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. “We look forward to the success of this project as we continue to advance culturally-responsive services and Indigenous-focused housing solutions for Indigenous people from every region of the province.”
“We are very thankful for Ontario’s partnership and assistance offered through the Social Services Relief Fund,” said Justin Marchand, Executive Director of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. “Working with our partner, the Métis Nation of Ontario, our ability to house and support people today and long into the future allows for greater safety and security for our Indigenous community members. When Indigenous partners lead program delivery, as Ontario has supported, then together, we achieve much better outcomes for people.”
For more details on the announcement, please click here.
Affordable housing is critical across Ontario, including in #SimcoeNorth & for Indigenous peoples. I was proud to join @SteveClarkPC, @OAHSSC & @Clarke4Orillia to announce over $6.2M to help provide Indigenous community members in Orillia with safe & affordable housing they need. pic.twitter.com/gqjPr1PRkZ
— Jill Dunlop (@JillDunlop1) February 9, 2021
Today I was honoured to join @JillDunlop1 to announce our government’s $6.2 million investment to help @OAHSSC purchase a new 27-unit apartment building.
This project will help Indigenous people in Orillia get the housing and support services they need. pic.twitter.com/MHIWONjB0W— Steve Clark (@SteveClarkPC) February 9, 2021