Ontario helps create affordable housing in Barrie for Indigenous families
The Ontario government is investing more than $800,000 to help create two affordable housing units in Barrie for Indigenous families at risk of homelessness and those fleeing domestic violence.
With the funding, the Barrie Native Friendship Centre acquired a duplex, with both units receiving significant makeovers.
The main floor has three bedrooms, and the secondary basement unit has two. Rents are affordable and include utilities.
"When we work together, we can help those that are most vulnerable," said Justin Marchand, executive director of the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services.
The friendship centre says it's the first step to obtaining more safe and secure housing for those in need.
"And it means that you know what, it's a new learning experience for the friendship centre and our community to be able to address it in this way," said Samantha Kinoshameg, executive director of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre.
Neither the friendship centre nor the province could give an exact number of units needed in the City of Barrie, but this does feed into Ontario's larger provincial target for this year.
"We're looking at, when it comes to community and supportive housing, more than 3,000 homes across the province this year through retrofits and new housing being added," said Michael Parsa, Associate Minister of Housing.
The Barrie duplex will be the start of culturally supportive housing, providing services culturally geared to its tenants.
"The people that are accessing the friendship centre programming have another opportunity for housing, or the people that are in the housing have an opportunity for the friendship centre," Kinoshameg noted.
"And when it comes to wraparound supports, that includes things like finding employment, so when it comes to supporting Indigenous communities, we will follow Indigenous-led recommendations," said Barrie-Innisfil MP Andrea Khanjin.
The units are ready for the first families to settle in. All that's left is for the application process to close, which could take roughly a month to complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.