3 May 2024
Provincial investment will provide affordable and accessible housing on Manitoulin Island
August 30, 2023
Municipal Affairs and Housing
Little Current — The Ontario government is providing over $1.6 million through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) to help create three affordable housing units for seniors in the community of Little Current on Manitoulin Island. In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Ontario government is also providing $821,180 through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative to support the creation of another three units in this building.
Fielding Place is a brand-new senior’s facility with 12 units, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Three out of 12 units are funded by the Social Services Relief Fund. Two of the units are fully accessible and each unit is equipped with kitchen appliances, air conditioning, and in-suite laundry. The units also have a private patio and ample storage. Residents will be close to waterfront parks, local shops, banking, and community activities.
The funding was announced by Steve Clark, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“We’re committed to helping people from across Ontario find a home that’s right for them – and that includes historic housing investments in Ontario’s North,” said Minister Clark. “Today’s investments through the Social Services Relief Fund and the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative will help seniors in the Manitoulin and Sudbury regions find a comfortable, appropriate home near their families and loved ones. We’re going to keep championing the needs of Northern Ontario to ensure no part of the province is left behind.”
The Ontario government is also investing an additional $202 million each year in homelessness prevention programs – the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program – bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment to close to $700 million. This includes an increase of $1,699,000 through the Homelessness Prevention Program for the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board, which provides housing services in Little Current, bringing the total to $2,537,600. The increased investment in homelessness prevention is the result of an updated funding formula that takes into account the particular costs and challenges of delivering homelessness prevention services in Northern Ontario, including the Manitoulin and Sudbury regions.
Quick Facts
The Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board was allocated over $4.6 million through all phases of the Social Services Relief Fund to deliver critical services such as shelters, food banks and emergency services.
Through the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program, Service managers and Indigenous program administrators have the flexibility to allocate provincial funding to programs and services that address and prevent homelessness in their communities, such as rent supplements, homeless shelters, and supportive housing including capital projects.
Quotes
"People have been waiting for years for new affordable housing and it’s nice to see that the District Services Board was able to work with our municipality, the federal and provincial governments to make an investment on a capital project and it will be good for everyone"
- Al MacNevin
Mayor of The Town of Northeastern Manitoulin
"On behalf of the board of directors, we are proud to celebrate the addition of this brand-new build in Little Current; it’s been a long time coming!"
- Bruce Killah
Board Chair, Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board
"It took us 24 years to make this a reality and we have finally succeeded in adding 12 affordable senior’s units to our portfolio. We appreciate the donation from the Fielding family and the support from the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin, the federal and provincial governments, our board of directors, Housing Services Corporation and staff."
- Donna Stewart
CAO, Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board