Sudbury receives critical federal funding to address homelessness

The federal government announced more funding to combat homelessness on Wednesday - including $8 million for Greater Sudbury. Alana Everson has the details.

As homelessness continues to be a crisis in many cities right across the country, the federal government announced on Wednesday some major funding to help Greater Sudbury, Ont., deal with the growing numbers and need for social services and resources.

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe announced more than $8 million over the next four years to help the City of Greater Sudbury cope with homelessness.

“Means that we are giving that help to the City of Greater Sudbury to deal with this crisis,” said Lapointe.

“They can’t do it alone we need all levels of government to come together.”

City officials said the money will go directly towards increasing local services.

“We do see mental health and addiction really impacting our vulnerable population right now. So, this money this investment is really important to be able to make sure that the services are in place that we are connecting and supporting people experiencing homelessness,” said Gail Spencer, the city’s manager of housing stability and homelessness.

“The two warming centres is an increase in service levels that we have not seen before in our communities,” said Tyler Campbell, Greater Sudbury’s director of children and social services.

“That increase along with an increase in our shelter beds has been great for the community in terms of this announcement.”

The money will help Safe Harbour House Shelter, located on Cedar Street, increase its capacity from 10 to 26 beds with the goal of offering transitional housing later this year.

“We are continuing to offer overnight shelter for women and gender diverse people along with youth 16-19,” said Cory Roslyn, Elizabeth Fry Society Executive Director.

Mayor Paul Lefebvre said transitional housing is a big part of the city’s long-term plan to help homeless people get housed.

“For us it’s trying to break the cycle of homelessness because often what we would see is folks that we would provide an apartment for however they weren’t well and after a month or two the state of the apartment is really not where it’s supposed to be and often they would return to the street,” said Lefebvre.

Officials confirmed with CTV News that there are currently 300 people on the Greater Sudbury emergency housing list and 200 people living outdoors across 36 sites across the city.