Posted On: February 5th, Posted By: dawngallaghermurphympp.ca, Original Article.
Aurora, ON: On Thursday, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy met with representatives from Blue Door to learn more about the essential renovations happening at Forward, Blue Door’s transitional housing program for senior men thanks to receiving an $87,300 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2025.
“Through our government’s investment in the Ontario Trillium Foundation, senior men at Blue Door’s Forward program will benefit from safer, more accessible spaces made possible by this $87,300 Capital Grant,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket—Aurora. “We are proud to support community partners addressing the housing challenges seniors face. These renovations will help residents move forward in a secure and supportive environment.”
Thanks to the OTF grant, senior residents will benefit from safer, more accessible entryways, enhanced outdoor spaces, and vital infrastructure upgrades that ensure a secure and supportive living environment. These upgrades will promote dignity and security, allowing residents to focus on their recovery, secure permanent housing, and successfully reintegrate into the community with confidence and stability.
Blue Door’s Forward program serves as a vital bridge for at-risk senior men, providing supportive transitional housing alongside tailored wraparound services that help residents regain stability. Forward directly supports senior men facing multiple barriers to stable housing, including socio-economic challenges, physical limitations, and age-related discrimination.
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), seniors living on fixed incomes are disproportionately affected by rising housing costs, with 28 per cent of senior-led households in Canada classified as being in core housing need. Many struggle to find accessible, affordable housing, particularly in York Region, where rental prices continue to outpace pension and support benefits.
“At Blue Door, we created Forward because every senior deserves to age with security and respect in their community. Forward is more than housing, it is an anchor of stability and belonging. Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s generous support, these renovations will ensure dignity, safety, and renewed hope for seniors who have faced extraordinary barriers,” said Emmy Kelly, Interim CEO, Blue Door.
Thanks to this support, Blue Door is now better equipped to ensure the safety and accessibility of Forward, its transitional housing program for seniors. The renovations will allow residents to live in a secure, dignified environment, complete with wraparound services, and focus on regaining stability. These improvements will strengthen Blue Door’s ability to support at-risk seniors in their transition to permanent housing and successful community reintegration.
To learn more about Blue Door and the programs offered please, visit bluedoor.ca
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
About Blue Door Since 1982 Blue Door has been serving the community and is now the largest emergency housing provider in all of York Region. Starting as the first emergency housing provider in York Region for men, Blue Door rapidly expanded over the last 43 years to meet the ever-pressing needs of our community’s most vulnerable. By focusing on the root causes of homelessness and breaking down barriers to housing, health, and meaningful employment, Blue Door has proudly become a leader in delivering dignified solutions and pathways out of homelessness and poverty. For more information visit BlueDoor.ca