SUDBURY – The number of unhoused people in Sudbury has risen over the past three years. Today, the Federal Government announced it was providing $8,457,271 in funding to the City of Greater Sudbury to help the municipality cope with the homelessness crisis.

The Federal Government’s investment includes:

• $1,532,256 over two years through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI)

• $6,925,015 over four years through the Reaching Home: Designated Communities

As member of Parliament for Sudbury, Viviane Lapointe’s riding includes the City’s downtown core, where much of the vulnerable unhoused people are located. Over the past several weeks, MP Lapointe has met with local service providers who work with the vulnerable homeless population. This includes spending time at the recently opened Warming Centre, meeting with HSN mental health and addictions staff, and meeting directly with Greater Sudbury’s Chief of Police to discuss the homelessness crisis.

“In my meetings with people who work in this sector, they all called for local, community-based solutions and resources. They have that frontline perspective. The funding our government is providing recognizes that local expertise. The money will go directly towards increasing our local services. One of our shelters will increase from 10 to 26 beds. We are also expanding the age group of people who can access these beds, from 19 and older to 16 and older. These changes will provide much needed shelter for homeless youth,” says Lapointe.

Quotes

“This funding will directly support community-based efforts to provide warmth, safety, and stability for vulnerable homeless adults and youth. By expanding the capacity of warming centres, outreach services and shelters, we are working to improve the lives of people in our city." – Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“As we work towards solutions to address the Housing Crisis, today’s investment is a positive step forward. These allocations are great examples of how the National Housing strategy is working to support vulnerable Canadians. It is crucial for all levels of government and local organizations to collaborate; we are not just providing shelter- we are offering hope, stability, and a brighter future.” -  Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

"Ensuring that every resident of Greater Sudbury has access to safe shelter and the supports they need is a priority for our city. With this funding from the Government of Canada, we’ve expanding emergency shelter capacity, strengthening outreach services, and investing in long-term solutions that will help people transition out of homelessness. These initiatives, including additional transitional housing beds at 307 Cedar Street in partnership with the Elizabeth Fry Society, are critical steps forward. I want to thank MP Viviane Lapointe and MP Marc Serré for their continued advocacy and support of solutions that make a real difference to those in need in our community.” - Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre

“The Elizabeth Fry Society is proud to continue providing much needed supports to women and gender diverse people experiencing homelessness in our community. We are grateful for the government collaboration which is providing the resources to expand our shelter and meet the growing needs. Safe Harbour House provides emergency shelter, safety and builds community.” - Cory Roslyn, Executive Director Elizabeth Fry Society Sudbury

Background

The funding from UHEI will support the implementation of Sudbury's Community Encampments Response Plan. These funds will help to support activities under a Community Engagement Response Plan, including the additional warming centre services at Energy Court and the Samaritan Centre over the winter months, ensuring that those without shelter have a safe, warm place to go when temperatures drop.

The funds through Reaching Home will assist the City of Greater Sudbury in continuing to offer immediate relief and ensuring the safety of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Specifically, a portion of the funding will support the Elizabeth Fry Society’s Safe Harbour House, which provides a low barrier emergency shelter for women and gender diverse people, which will add 16 new emergency shelter beds to our shelter system (for a total of 26 beds). With the physical expansion of infrastructure, the Safe Harbour House will also now be able to expand the age group from 19 and older to 16 and older, providing much needed beds for homeless youth.

Both funding streams will be managed by the City of Greater Sudbury.