Timmins (July 27, 2023) — The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario are providing nearly $2 million to help create six supportive housing units that will support youth aged 16-21 in the City of Timmins.
This project is part of an investment of over $46 million through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) to create 267 affordable housing units across the province. COCHI is an initiative of the Canada-Ontario Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy (NHS).
Located at 457 Wilcox Street, the former École catholique Louis-Rhéaume was acquired by the North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) and a portion of the building will be transformed into housing units. The one-storey building includes four one-bedroom apartments, a barrier-free/accessible one-bedroom apartment and a three-bedroom unit. This project will provide supportive housing, on-site services, and to help teens successfully transition to independent living in their home community. The building includes a common area, storage room, laundry and outdoor space. The facility will provide medical services and supervised access for youth on weeknights and weekends.
Pictured (Left to Right): Mélanie Watson, Communications Coordinator (NEOFACS), Don Anderson, President of the Board (NEOFACS), City of Timmins Mayor and Chair of the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board Michelle Boileau, Timmins' MPP and Minister of Mines, George Pirie, Associate Minister of Housing, Nina Tangri.
Quick Facts
- The Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) provides funding to repair, regenerate and expand community housing so tenants can live in a home that is affordable. It can also be used to support community housing providers whose original program arrangements are expiring and help them to become more sustainable.
- The Ontario government invested $1.2 billion in emergency funding under the Social Services Relief Fund to help municipal service managers and Indigenous program administrators respond to COVID-19, create longer-term housing solutions, and help vulnerable people, including those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
- Ontario is also investing an additional $202 million each year for the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program – bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment to close to $700 million.
- The government’s latest housing supply action plan – Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants – is the latest in a series of steps Ontario is taking to increase housing supply and help more people find a home they can afford. For more information on affordable housing, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing.
Quotes
"Our government knows that ensuring access to safe, stable, affordable housing is the key to keeping our youth healthy and thriving. We will continue to work with all levels of government to address Ontario’s supply crisis"
- The Honourable Nina Tangri
Associate Minister of Housing for Ontario
"Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. Projects like these make a world of difference for people who need support in the Timmins community. This is just another way our government is supporting and building up northern communities across the province."
- George Pirie
Member of Provincial Parliament for Timmins
"The peace of mind that comes with having a secure and stable home is invaluable. The Youth Transitional Housing Project will ensure that our most vulnerable populations are living in a healthy and sustainable environment. Projects like this one are key to responding to the housing needs in Timmins and across Ontario."
- Marc G. Serré
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt
"The transition from teenager to adulthood and independent living can be challenging. It’s imperative that youth exiting foster care be given every opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to be self-sufficient. We are fortunate that both CDSSAB and NEOFACS are committed to delivering a system of care that empowers youth through this process. Thank you to the Province of Ontario for investing in the Transition Home Program, which is also an investment in the future of the community."
- Michelle Boileau
Mayor, City of Timmins and Chair of the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board
"We are very pleased to be here today to announce this important project. NEOFACS began our work towards the development of a semi-independent transitional housing project for youth in the Timmins area back in 2015. At that time, the Agency created our Residential Framework, which initially identified the need for transitional housing for our young people who are leaving care. With this investment from the province and the support of our community partners, we will be able to realize this long-term goal of ensuring stable and supported housing for young people previously in our care. We are confident this will result in better outcomes for our youth and for our community."
- Don Anderson
Chair of the North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services Board