The provincial government has announced it will be investing over $30-million to several southwestern Ontario cities to help those experiencing or are at risk of homelessness find housing.
On Wednesday, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton announced the funds come as part of the province's new Homelessness Prevention Program.
Cities including Chatham-Kent, London, St. Thomas and Windsor will receive a total of $30.4-million, an increase of $1.8-million from last year.
"As cities like London, Windsor and Chatham continue to lead Ontario's economic recovery, we need to make sure no one is left behind," said McNaughton in a release. "That is why our government is making common-sense investments to help people keep roofs over their heads, stay on the job, and build stronger communities for us all."
Funding amounts for the municipalities are as follows:
Chatham-Kent: $2,846,600
London: $13,375,000
St. Thomas: $1,791,600
Windsor: $12,470,100
McNaughton spoke to Craig Needles of London News Today about the announcement on Wednesday.
[audio mp3="https://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Monte-McNaughton.mp3"][/audio]
On Monday, the government announced an additional $25-million, a total of $464-million into the revamped program, replacing the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative, Home for Good and the Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program to improve efficiency. Another $6.7-million will also be invested in the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program, bringing the total annual investment to $30-million.
The province said the program will allow municipalities to better target funding where it is needed the most. Through the Community Housing Renewal Strategy, government officials will work with housing providers across the province to make community housing more efficient and sustainable.
