2022-23 Roll Out of the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative, the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative and the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Office of the Minister 
777 Bay Street, 17th Floor 
Toronto ON M7A 2J3 
Tel.: 416 585-7000

April 27, 2022

Bruce Killah
Board Chair, Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board
210 Mead Boulevard
Espanola, Ontario, P5E 1R9

Dear Bruce Killah:

I am pleased to provide you an update on the 2022-23 roll out of the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI), the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) and the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) programs.

Even though the fiscal year has already begun, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has still not yet agreed to the final details of a renewed Action Plan under the National Housing Strategy for 2022-23.

While we anticipate this will happen shortly, I would ask you to join me in reaching out to the Federal government and asking that they approve the renewed Action Plan for 2022-23 quickly. In addition, as our government continues to advocate for Ontario’s fair share of federal funding for housing programs, I would also ask that you join us in our efforts to secure this critical funding by reaching out to the Federal government and asking for Ontario’s fair share.

In the interim, to ensure stability and continuity of the housing programs upon which so many Ontarians depend, the Ministry is proceeding with implementation consistent with past practice and with the planning allocations provided to all Service Managers in August of last year.

Your confirmed 2022-23 NHS allocations for the interim period are attached to this letter as Appendix “A” and remain unchanged from the allocations communicated to you in August 2021. The key program design elements for the 2022-23 period have also remained unchanged. Please find enclosed the template for amending the relevant Transfer Payment Agreements, the Program Guidelines and Investment Plan for further details.
 
To ensure Service Managers and Indigenous Program Administrators are well-positioned to move forward with implementation in the 2022-23 year, we are requesting that the signed Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) and Investment Plan be returned to the Ministry as soon as possible but no later than May 31, 2022. In recognition of the relatively late start of this process and to ensure continuity and stability of programming, you will note the Transfer Payment Agreement has already been signed by the Crown and will take effect upon execution by the service manager/Indigenous Program Administrator. We strongly encourage service managers and IPAs to return executed TPAs and approved Investment Plans to the Ministry to facilitate flow of funding.

Upon finalization of the Transfer Payment agreement and receipt of your Investment Plan, the Ministry will proceed to initiate your first payment based on your first quarter cash flow requirements as outlined in the Investment Plan, up to a maximum amount of 50% of your total allocation. You may submit your signed agreement and Investment Plan via e-mail to housingprogramsdelivery@ontario.ca. 

My expectation is that you continue to administer NHS housing programs as usual, and that there is no interruption to housing services and supports. I trust this letter provides the certainty you need to proceed. If you have any questions, please contact ministry staff at your regional Municipal Services Office.
We sincerely appreciate your efforts to assist vulnerable people in your communities, and I look forward to continuing our work together as we move forward on these important changes.

Sincerely,
 
Steve Clark 
Minister

Enclosures

c. Fern Dominelli, Chief Administrative Officer
Donna Stewart, Associate Chief Administration Officer
Cindy Couillard, Team Lead, Municipal Services Office

Appendix “A”
2022-23 Fiscal Year Confirmed Funding Allocations – Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board