Posted On: June 17th, 2025, Posted By: DawnGallagerMurphyMPP.com, Original Article.
Funding will help wind down encampments and move vulnerable people into safe accommodations
NEWMARKET — Ontario has begun flowing up to $75.5 million to municipalities in order to help them wind down encampments in public spaces by creating more emergency shelter spaces and affordable housing units. These accommodations will provide vulnerable people with appropriate short and long-term housing alternatives to encampments and help restore safety and order to Ontario’s parks and other public spaces.
“Our government has heard the call from municipalities loud and clear, and we are taking bold action to ensure that parks and public spaces are restored to places of fun, relaxation and enjoyment,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This investment will help the City of Newmarket transition vulnerable individuals currently living in encampments to safer living accommodations, where they can get back on their feet.”
The funding that is being flowed to municipalities includes:
- $50 million for ready-to-build affordable housing projects, allocated based on how close a project is to completion and its value for money, to help projects near completion but in need of additional targeted funding open their doors faster.
- $20 million to expand shelter capacity and create additional temporary accommodation spaces.
- $5.5 million to top up the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) to immediately free up emergency shelter spaces for people living in encampments by helping people living in shelters move into longer-term housing. This funding builds on the nearly $400 million invested in COHB between 2023 and 2024.
Complementing this is the Ontario government’s nearly $700 million annual investment in homelessness prevention programs, which includes $654 million through the Homelessness Prevention Program and $41.5 through the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program.
“Thank you to Inn From the Cold and Blue Door for all your work, commitment, and unwavering dedication to these projects,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket—Aurora. “This new provincial funding will help our community address homelessness and provide essential housing solutions. This investment reflects our government’s commitment to ensuring that everyone, especially those facing economic hardship, can access safe, stable housing.”
“Through Last Mile funding, our government is investing a total of $6,892,607 in the Regional Municipality of York to support the development and expansion of facilities such as St. Marks Apartments, Inn from the Cold, Gorham Street Community Housing Redevelopment Project, and York Region Rapid Emergency Shelter Expansion,” said Laura Smith, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Thornhill. “It is a reflection of our commitment to ensure that every York resident has access to a safe roof over their head.”
The province is working with local service managers to direct funding into communities where it is needed most. By helping municipalities and other project partners create more emergency shelter and affordable housing spaces, Ontario is helping vulnerable people move out of crisis situations and into stable accommodations.
Quick facts
- Service managers and Indigenous program administrators have the flexibility to allocate provincial funding to programs and services that address and prevent homelessness in their communities, such as rent supplements, homeless shelters, and supportive housing including capital projects.
Quotes
“Housing affordability is a significant concern that impacts individuals and families across our communities. York Regional Council remains committed to helping residents find and keep housing, aligning with our vision to create strong, caring, safe communities. Thanks to this investment from the Government of Ontario, York Region is continuing to advance key milestones outlined in the 2024 to 2027 Homelessness Service System Plan and increasing affordable housing options for residents. By working together with our partners across all levels of government and within our communities, we are striving to ensure that every resident has access to safe, secure and affordable housing.”
- York Region Chairman and CEO, Eric Jolliffe
“The housing and cost-of-living crisis is pushing more people into emergency housing with nowhere to go—leading to a 380% increase in encampments across York Region since 2021. This investment is a critical step toward reversing that trend.
It’s not just funding—it’s partnership. Support from the province, including the Last Mile program, is enabling innovative local solutions like our Housing for All Land Trust to create safe, permanent, and affordable housing. Together, we’re helping restore dignity, stability, and opportunity for people who need it most.”
- Emmy Kelly, Interim CEO, Blue Door
“Public safety and affordable housing continue to be top priorities for our government. By expanding access to shelters and affordable housing units, this investment will empower our local municipalities to improve public safety and restore the use of public spaces. I am proud of Ontario’s commitment to increasing housing supply across York Region.”
- Daisy Wai, MPP for Richmond Hill
“We are deeply grateful for this investment, which allowed The Salvation Army to expand emergency shelter capacity and provide enhanced, dignified care to women and youth experiencing homelessness in York Region. This funding strengthens our ability to move people from crisis to stability through wraparound supports that address the whole person. It’s an investment not just in housing—but in hope, recovery, and long-term transformation. We’re proud to partner with all levels of government to build stronger, more compassionate communities.”
- Major Rick Zelinsky, Salvation Army
“Thanks to the Last Mile funding, we will be able to provide 9 additional low-cost apartments on our site just west of Richmond Hill GO station. We thank the Province for assisting us in the construction of this transit friendly housing and are also extremely grateful to York Region and the town of Richmond Hill who have been vital partners in this project over the past few years. We are ‘shovel ready’ and look forward to seeing the new building rise above the ground in the next few months making more dreams of affordable housing come true in Ontario.”
- Reverend Duncan Jeffrey, Saint Mark’s Apartments
“Last mile funding will have a huge impact on the success of Inn From the Cold’s New Home located at 17046 Yonge Street in Newmarket. Our new home will provide a 16000 sq/ft space designed to better serve those in need including:
- 18 transitional housing beds
- A dormitory style emergency housing facility for up to 30 people
- Case work/interview rooms and classrooms for education and training
- A dining hall, multipurpose space and quiet room with computer and library resources
- Outdoor garden and recreation space for relaxation and healing
We look forward to serving the communities of York Region from this beautiful, and welcoming space.”
- Ann Watson, Exec Director, Inn From the Cold
“ With the dire need for deeply affordable housing options, 360kids is grateful for the ‘Last mile’ funding from the Province, and the Region of York that allowed us to provide more emergency beds for young people to get them out of the cold and help them access important wraparound supports.”
- Clovis Grant, CEO, 360 Kids