The Ontario government is providing more than $800,000 to help create two new affordable housing units in Barrie.
Through a partnership with the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services and the Barrie Native Friendship Centre, funding will create two housing units for Indigenous people.
The duplex home was fully renovated, the main floor unit has three bedrooms, and the secondary basement unit has two bedrooms. The housing units are for tenants who are Indigenous and/or families at risk of homelessness or who are currently underhoused, and people fleeing domestic violence are also eligible. Rents will be affordable and include utilities.
“Indigenous people looking for supportive housing often struggle to find culturally appropriate accommodations that meet their unique needs, said Michael Parsa, associate minister of housing. “The project is a great example of how our government is partnering with Indigenous communities in Barrie, and across Ontario to deliver housing solutions for the most vulnerable members of our communities,”
As highlighted in Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, the announcement is part of the province’s social services relief fund, which has provided over $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to help vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“Today is a great day for Barrie. This project will provide safe and secure accommodation for Indigenous people at risk of homelessness,´ said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte.
“Working in collaboration with all our partners, we’re ensuring residents of Barrie have a place to call home.”
Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) owns and rents approximately 1,600 rent geared-to-income units across the province under our Rural and Urban Indigenous Housing Program.
In Budget 2021, the Ontario government released $175 million for mental health and addictions services and supports, building on prior year investments of $176 million announced in October 2020, and $174 million in Budget 2019.
“With the efforts of Associate Minister Michael Parsa at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, and Barrie Native Friendship Centre, this project will help serve our Indigenous community in need of safe and affordable housing, and I we know these continued partnerships increase that capacity for change,” said Justin Marchand, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services.
