Toronto, ON – WoodGreen Community Services welcomes the announcement of $75.5 million for programs that provide more long-term stable housing and temporary accommodations for those living in encampments, including $50 million designated for ready-to-build affordable housing projects across the province, however, calls on the government for further investment in Supportive Housing.
As a leading non-profit housing provider and developer, WoodGreen is pleased to see an investment supporting affordable housing initiatives. Thousands of Torontonians, unable to afford housing, are currently unhoused and underserved. Providing them with access to affordable housing would offer these vulnerable communities the chance to thrive.
WoodGreen has close to 1,500 deeply affordable housing units and is one of Toronto’s largest non-municipal affordable housing providers, offering safe and affordable homes to seniors, newcomers, youth, individuals with disabilities and people with a long history of homelessness. Our organization has an ambitious plan to own and/or manage 5,000 mixed housing with supports units by 2030.
WoodGreen looks forward to further details on how non-profit developers can apply for this dedicated funding on ready-to-build projects for vulnerable community members.
We are also pleased to see an additional investment of $5.5 million in the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) as part of the $75.5 million investment. COHB is one of the only ways unassisted refugees and asylum seekers can find housing as it provides households with assistance with rental costs in the private housing market.
While supportive of these investments, WoodGreen is concerned over the proposed Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act. While WoodGreen understands the concerns of consumption exposure in shared spaces, we believe that vulnerable populations need supports and housing, not fines.
ABOUT WOODGREEN COMMUNITY SERVICES (woodgreen.org): WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, serving 40,000 people each year. We offer over 75 programs and services tackling the social determinants that affect the health and well-being of individuals in our community.
-30-
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Jon Reed, Sr. Manager, Marketing & Communications; [email protected]; 437 226 8091