Posted On: June 18th, 2025, Posted By: Joseph Quigley, NewmarketToday, Original Article.
The province formally recognized more than $6.89 million in funding in York Region to help projects cross the finish line, including the completion of a new shelter for Inn From the Cold and Blue Door’s rebuilt Kevin’s Place
York Region’s housing charities have received a significant funding boost from the provincial government to help in their efforts to combat homelessness in the community.
The province formally recognized more than $6.89 million toward housing efforts in the region June 17. This includes “Last Mile” funding support — aimed at helping projects cross the finish line — including the completion of a new shelter for Inn From the Cold on Yonge Street and Blue Door’s rebuilt Kevin’s Place on Gorham Street in Newmarket.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said homelessness is a growing problem, recounting a difficult phone call a couple of days ago with a person struggling to live out of their van. But he said funding initiatives like this make him hopeful.
“We’re looking at the answer right here when we bring levels of government together with the not-for-profit sector,” he said, adding that these projects “are the things that people are waiting for. When they’re talking on the phone, this is what they’re hoping to hear about.”
The funding is part of a $75.5 million pool that the provincial government has directed toward addressing housing and homelessness across Ontario. Much of the funding was initially disclosed in January, including $1.4 million toward the region’s encampment response (such as more shelter space and supports) and $3.98 million in Last Mile funding for three different not-for-profit housing projects: $2.3 million for Blue Door’s Kevin Place, $630,722 for Inn From the Cold’s new facility and $1 million for the St. Marks Apartments in Richmond Hill.
Salvation Army territorial director of emergency disaster services and public affairs Major Rick Zelinsky also said the funding has already made a significant difference at the Newmarket women’s shelter Belinda’s Place, allowing them to hire two new caseworkers and extend the drop-in program to weekends.
“Thanks to this funding, we’re better equipped to meet the growing demand for services as well and continue to be a transformative presence in the community,” he said.
Inn From the Cold executive director Ann Watson said the funding really helped them push past the “funding conundrum” they were facing, which many non-profits do when they try to build something. She said building this new facility will enable them to expand their transitional housing program from five beds to 18.
“That’s going to make a huge difference,” she said.