City council briefed on $3.2M funding boost to fight homelessness

Homelessness was a keynote agenda item at Monday night’s council meeting as DSSMSSAB (Social Services) CEO Mike Nadeau provided the city with an update on the issue.

Last month, Social Services identified 159 local individuals who were considered either homeless or in a precarious housing situation. That number dropped from 244 in October 2021.

But Nadeau explained to council that the count isn’t entirely accurate and likely understates the true number.

“We’ve moved from doing a count once every two years to now where we have a ‘by names’ list,” he said. “Every time someone registers with a shelter or goes into an agency that’s working within the system, they’re put into a database where we can track people. There was about 159 people on the database the last time I looked.”

As previously announced in June, Nadeau shared with council that the Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) budget was increased from $1,841,100 to $5,123,300 in 2023-24 – a boost of $3,282,200. The funding is a three-year commitment by the provincial government.

Although Social Services was hoping for an increase of $6.8 million — more than double what they received — Nadeau said he was still pleased with the funding boost.

“The [$1.8 million] was inadequate to meet the challenges the community is facing,” he said. “We need further provincial and federal investment. But while the increase is still below the identified need, it will make a positive impact in our community.”

The HPP Investment Plan this year includes increases to:

• Supportive housing units
• Funding for the Indigenous community
• Homelessness prevention team supports
• Housing assistance
• Capital investments/retrofits  

“It will not end homelessness in our community, but it will help,” Nadeau said.

A recent housing report from city staff indicated the need for a minimum of 80 permanent supportive housing units to service the homeless population. The report noted there are just 10 such units in the city.

But Nadeau told SooToday that number could reach 61 over the next several months as additional units are coming to East Street, Pauline's Place, and the Community Resource Centre.

"If the plans come to fruition, we'll be able to make sure that there's 80 supported units within the community at minimum," he says. "We're really optimistic we'll be able to achieve that, but it's tough going."

Meanwhile, Mayor Matthew Shoemaker took the opportunity near the end of Monday night's Social Services presentation to clarify what Nadeau’s team does when they receive a call about an encampment.

“We try to make sure we’re going out there and developing a rapport and a relationship with people,” Nadeau said. “Oftentimes, they’re known to the staff members working in the homelessness system.”

“I don’t think it’s a role for social services to close encampments. We try to make sure things are documented and that we’re offering affordable housing benefits to folks. We try and get them into the shelter so other service providers can engage and start to work with people to get them permanently housed.”

Nadeau was joined by a pair of those service providers during Monday's proceedings, including Annette Katajamaki from the Canadian Mental Health Association and Dorothy Coad from Niigaaniin Services.

Below is a breakdown of Social Services’ HPP Investment Plan:

Increase Housing Bank from $112,500 to $547,005

• The Housing Stability Bank provides financial assistance to eligible applicants, for rental/utility arrears.

New Youth Portable Housing Benefit – $300,000

• High intensity Housing Benefit intended to support approximate 25 youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The plan is to work closely with Child Welfare Agencies.

Tenant Support Worker – $95,000

• Continued funding for DSSMSSAB staff members and Tenant Support Workers who will continue to provide assessment and community referrals and connections for individuals residing within Social Housing communities to ensure those who are at risk of homelessness remain housed.

Indigenous Support Services – $550,000

• Provide culturally appropriate services/programs to various locations including both emergency shelters, Bridge Units, Social Housing Community Hubs, and the Community Resource Centre situated at 721 Wellington.

Case Management Support Services – $130,000

• Increase case management services to provide support to community members who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.

Downtown Ambassador Program (DAP) – $27,400

• Extend hours of operation for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s DAP program later into the evening and on the weekend

Pauline’s Place - $575,000

• Pauline’s Place acts as a 24/7 youth, women and family shelter and has up to 30 shelter beds and 8 transition/bridge unit.

Community Resource Centre Shelter – $893,694

• The shelter located within the CRC will be operated by CMHA and house 22 men. The shelter will be open from 4:30 pm-8:30 am when the CRC is open and 24/7 when the CRC is closed (weekends and holidays). This model includes staff and security.

Harvest Algoma – $118,320

• Harvest Algoma provides meals for shelter guests.

137 East Street – $180,000 (13 units)

• Increasing support hours to 8 hours per day, 365 days a year for the 13 semi-supported spaces at 137 East Street.

Pauline’s Place – $85,460 (8 units)

• Increasing support hours by 35 each week to provide supports on evenings and weekends to help participants attain housing stability.

Community Resource Centre (CRC) - $768,923 (22 units)

• The new CRC will accommodate 22 transition/bridge units, in addition to 22 shelter beds (44 total). The units will be supported 24/7 to help participants attain housing stability.