Today, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, announced that the federal government is investing almost $13 million from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada toward projects in the city.

To support addressing homelessness in the city through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, $3,598,335 will go toward the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board, and $3,387,634 toward the local Indigenous Friendship Centre, both over the course of four years.

These organizations will work closely with stakeholders and community members on the front lines seeking to end homelessness in the region. This much needed funding will be invested in infrastructure and supports that work with some of the most vulnerable in our community to find suitable housing, and end the systemic challenges that contribute to chronic homelessness.

Since 2015, the local DSSAB and IFC have received over $15 million from the Reaching Home program, and the previous Homelessness Partnering Strategy. The program supports the goals of the government’s National Housing Strategy, as well as Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada’s Housing Plan. Those goals include: supporting the needs of the most vulnerable people in Canada; improving access to safe, stable and affordable housing, and reducing chronic homelessness

Sheehan also announced that the City of Sault Ste. Marie would receive $5,875,550 over ten years towards our local transit system. This baseline funding for the city will deliver on the federal government’s commitment to provide stable, predictable support for local transit - for routine capital investments, expansion, and state of good repair projects.

When we invest in community infrastructure, we create stronger communities. When we invest in community infrastructure, we are investing in the well-being of Canadians today, and for generations to come.

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“We’re committed to working to better support people who are unhoused, and we know that strong community partnerships make a real difference. By expanding outreach, increasing shelter capacity, and building culturally responsive partnerships, we can provide immediate help while tackling the root causes of homelessness. These investments and efforts will help ensure that people across the province get the support they need as we work toward lasting, inclusive solutions to end homelessness. The funding for transit will provide stable, predictable support for this very important City service. The funding today is on top of the already record-breaking federal investments in public transportation.”

– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and FedNor

“We know that access to reliable transit is essential for connecting people to the services and supports they need. As municipalities like Sault Ste. Marie continue to navigate the challenges of homelessness and other social services related pressures, we’re grateful for the Government of Canada’s support. These investments help ensure that those in need can access housing, employment, healthcare and other critical resources.”

– Matthew Shoemaker, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie

“The Sault Ste. Marie District faces some of the highest rates of homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction indicators in Ontario. This crisis demands immediate and sustained action. The DSSMSSAB acknowledges the federal investments and this critical step forward while continuing to collaborate to combat homelessness in our community. Together, we can address root causes, expand housing options, and provide the necessary services to ensure every individual in our community has a safe place to call home.”

– Stephanie Hopkin, Chair of the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board.

The Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie very grateful to the Government of Canada for the significant funding contribution which also recognizes that many of the Indigenous members within the urban community of Sault Ste. Marie prefer to access services through the IFC; an organization in which they have developed trust. Reaching Home IFC serves Indigenous (status, non-status, Metis and Inuit) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We also use a portion of the funding to reduce the effects of food insecurity, something that is becoming more and more a reality. We look forward to continuing to work with our funder and other community partners to stabilize the lives of many homeless and at-risk community members

– Paul Gouge, Reaching Home Coordinator, Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie

QUICK FACTS

• Reaching Home is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding and support to urban, Indigenous, territorial, rural, and remote communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.
• Funding under this program is allocated to 64 Designated Communities (urban centres), three territorial capitals, 30 Indigenous communities, and rural and remote communities across Canada. The program also makes funding available to Indigenous partners to support distinctions-based approaches to homelessness services.
• The federal government also recently announced partners for their Action Research on Chronic Homelessness initiative. Through identifying and documenting persistent barriers, successes, and challenges, it will pilot strategies for ending chronic homelessness that can be adapted for use across Canada.
• Through Reaching Home, the federal government is already investing $5 billion over 9 years to address homelessness. Budget 2024 announced an additional $1 billion over four years starting in 2024-25 to stabilize funding under this program.
• The Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) is the largest public transit investment in Canadian history. It is designed to meet the unique needs of communities of all sizes, from large metropolitan areas to mid-size and smaller communities, including rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities.
• Since 2015, the federal government has committed over $30 billion for public transit and active transportation projects. These historic investments have resulted in close to 2000 projects across the country.
• Starting in 2026-27, the CPTF will provide an average of $3 billion a year in permanent funding that will respond to local needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities.