Sudbury is set to receive $2.5 million in federal funding to implement two new initiatives that aim to transition individuals from homelessness to stable housing. The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH), a network focused on homelessness solutions, will lead the funding allocation.
The funding will particularly benefit older adults with complex needs experiencing homelessness, offering services such as bridge housing, outreach, intensive case management, and rent supplements. Bridge housing is a short-term, intensive program designed for individuals facing multiple barriers to securing permanent housing, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, lack of identification, or limited income.
The remaining funds will support efforts to assist homeless individuals in finding and maintaining housing through team or individual case worker assistance, along with potential rent supplements. The program’s goal is to reduce chronic homelessness by 10% and facilitate the transition of 114 people into housing.
Mayor Paul Lefebvre of Greater Sudbury views the funding as a significant development, emphasizing the importance of ongoing support for individuals once housed to prevent homelessness recurrence. The two programs are scheduled to commence in the fall and continue until February 2028.
Amy Collins, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society Northeastern Ontario, highlighted the challenges individuals face in securing affordable rental housing when transitioning from shelters or encampments. She stressed the critical need for continued support services, including mental health resources, substance abuse assistance, financial aid, and family reconnection efforts, to sustain housed individuals.