Category Archives: Advocacy

Funding Gap Threatens Ottawa’s Ability to Tackle Homelessness Emergency

It’s difficult to believe that it’s been over three years since Ottawa declared a homelessness emergency, and even more difficult to believe how much worse the situation has become. The number of people sleeping outside has doubled, and all shelters in Ottawa are at over 100% capacity.

The recent provincial funding decision for homelessness prevention and housing services in Ottawa is alarming. The province has allocated a mere 0.4% of the $202 million dollars committed for homelessness prevention in our city. This is inexplicable when compared to Toronto, which has been allocated $48 million, almost 60 times the amount allocated to Ottawa ($845,000) – even though we are the second-largest city in Ontario.

Such underfunding will result in a $37 million funding gap for Ottawa, leading to the cancellation of 54 supportive housing projects, and the cancellation of 570 to 850 new builds of affordable units per year. This comes on top of the loss of development charges for municipalities under Bill 23, which cities have used to support the construction of affordable housing and other community benefits.

Ottawa specifically faces unique challenges in tackling homelessness:

  • It includes the significant catchment area of eastern Ontario and west Quebec.
  • It’s experiencing a large increase in the number of asylum seekers (63%), especially as compared to Toronto (18%).
  • It services a disproportionate number of Indigenous clients, estimated at about 32% of the overall shelter population.

The provincial government wants to build 1.5 million homes within 10 years, but Ottawa cannot meet its share of this goal with such underfunding.

As a housing-focused shelter, we urge the provincial government to reserve this decision and to increase Ottawa’s Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) by $18 – 20 million to ensure that our city can support vulnerable community members with a home of their own. Ontario ended the last fiscal year with a $2.1-billion surplus, and it is unacceptable to not provide adequate funding to address the homelessness emergency in our community.

We cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer. Homelessness affects not just individuals, but our entire community. It affects the economy, the health care system, and the criminal justice system. We need to take action to ensure that everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.

You can make a difference. Join us in advocating for adequate funding for Ottawa’s Homelessness Prevention Program. Send a letter to your MPP and urge them to increase funding for our city.

Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community has access to safe, supportive, and affordable housing.

Why Ending Homelessness is the Key to a Sustainable Future

Climate change, pollution, and habitat loss are just a few of the issues that threaten the well-being of our planet. In order to tackle these issues, we need to focus on sustainability and reduce our impact on the environment. However, there is one issue that is often overlooked in the conversation about sustainability: homelessness.

Homelessness is a complex issue that affects millions of people around the world. It is not only a humanitarian crisis but also an environmental one. Research shows that individuals experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They are often exposed to extreme weather conditions and lack access to essential resources, such as clean water and safe shelter. Homelessness also contributes to environmental degradation, with many individuals having no choice but to live in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

Ending homelessness, therefore, is not only a moral imperative but also an environmental one. Providing permanent, affordable, safe and accessible housing can significantly reduce exposure to environmental hazards and improve the health outcomes of our overall community. By reducing the number of people living on the streets, we also reduce environmental impacts generated by homeless encampments.

Moreover, housing-focused programs that prioritize providing stable housing for individuals who are precariously-housed have been shown to be cost-effective in the long run. By reducing the use of emergency services and healthcare, and increasing employment opportunities, housing-focused programs can have a positive impact on the economy and the environment. They also act as the crucial first step towards addressing the underlying issues that face individuals who experience homelessness.

As we strive for a sustainable future, it’s essential to recognize the importance of ending homelessness, and to find collaborative links between housing and environmental advocacy. By investing in housing-first programs and advocating for policies that prioritize affordable housing and supportive services, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

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Funding Our Way Out of Homelessness: The Impact of Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Funding on Housing and Homelessness

At The Ottawa Mission, we see firsthand the devastating impact that homelessness and the lack of affordable and supportive housing has on individuals in our community.

The issue of homelessness is a complex one that requires a coordinated approach, practical and systematic, from all levels of government to address it. Each level of government has its own areas of responsibility in addressing the problem, and funding plays a critical role in addressing the state of housing and homelessness in our communities.

Let’s take a closer look at how each level of government affects our work here at the shelter.

Municipal funding

Municipal governments have a key role to play in providing essential services that directly affect the homeless population in their communities. This includes:

  • Funding emergency shelters;
  • Providing affordable housing options;
  • Implementing homelessness prevention programs;
  • Regulating the housing market through zoning and building codes, which can impact the availability and affordability of housing.

In short, municipal funding supports the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness and helps to create an environment that fosters affordable and accessible housing.

Provincial funding

Provincial governments have a broader responsibility when it comes to addressing homelessness. They are responsible for:

  • Funding a range of frontline services that support those who are homeless, including rent supplements and housing allowances;
  • Funding mental health and addiction services, employment and education programs, and other wraparound supports, which are often critical to helping individuals transition out of homelessness;
  • Coordinating the efforts of municipalities and non-profit organizations to implement a cohesive and effective strategy for addressing homelessness across the province.
  • Supports a common vision, key principles and a coordinated approach to achieving improved housing outcomes.

Federal funding

The federal government plays a critical role in shaping the overall direction of homelessness policy in Canada. It provides:

  • Affordable housing initiatives funding;
  • Homelessness prevention programs funding;
  • Funding for other services that support the homeless population;
  • Setting goals for the provision of affordable housing and housing loss prevention;
  • Support for the research and data collection that informs housing and homelessness policy decisions

How it all affects us

Although homelessness has always existed, it has now reached epidemic levels in Ottawa and across Canada because government support at all levels has not kept up with the need for affordable and supportive housing. When there is adequate funding for affordable housing initiatives and homelessness prevention programs, we see fewer people coming through our doors. Additionally, when there is funding for mental health and addiction services, we see individuals who are better equipped to transition out of homelessness and into stable housing.

When funding for affordable housing initiatives and homelessness prevention programs is stagnant or cut, we see an increase in the number of people who are experiencing homelessness. Similarly, when mental health and addiction services are not adequately funded, we see individuals who are struggle to get the help they need to transition out of homelessness.

Each level of government has a distinct role to play in addressing homelessness, and adequate funding from each level is critical to supporting the needs of those who are homeless in our community. It is only through collaboration and support from all levels of government that we can hope to end homelessness in Canada. As one of the city’s busiest emergency shelters, The Ottawa Mission urges all levels of government to prioritize funding for these critical programs to help end homelessness in our communities.