Orillia launches new supportive housing program to combat homelessness
The City of Orillia is set to introduce a new temporary supportive rapid rehousing program, mirroring the one in operation on Rose Street in Barrie.
Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac highlighted the program's role in providing housing solutions for up to 180 days while offering essential support services.
"This is a transitionary program for homeless people," McIsaac explained. "We hope to be able to have someone who is homeless get into a situation where they get support, they get counselling, they can get help finding a home, finding a job, and get a permanent home."
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
Financial backing for the facility includes $100,000 from the City over five years and roughly $800,000 from the County.
Initially, the program will accommodate 20 to 40 individuals in its inaugural year, scaling up to support up to 200 people over its five-year planned operation.
City Councillor Janet-Lynne Durnford underscored the program's core principle of "housing first," providing a stable living environment for individuals experiencing homelessness.
"The whole idea of this project is that people who are relatively newly homeless will have somewhere to live," she added.
The initiative aims to alleviate pressure on existing shelters like the Lighthouse.
"We're full every single night," said Linda Goodall, executive director at the Lighthouse shelter in Orillia. Goodall added that the rehousing project could "free up space for those living on the streets."
"The rapid supportive rehousing program last summer did very well. It had about a 90 per cent success rate. Eighteen out of 20 people were permanently housed in less than 180 days," noted Mina Fayez-Bahgat, County of Simcoe Social and Community Services general manager.
The next phase for the City involves securing a suitable location on a transit route.
"We need a piece of land that is habitable, that is flat, that has some parking, and essentially a piece of land that we can put a modular housing unit as soon as possible with as little preparation as possible," said Durnford.
As the City explores potential sites, the County will engage in finding an agency to operate the facility, with the goal of having it operational by fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE @ 11:15 A.M. MT Extent of Jasper wildfire damage still unknown; Alberta Wildfire hosting update
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
Canadian women's soccer team staffer given suspended prison sentence over drone incident, prosecutor says
A Canada women's soccer team staffer has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after flying a drone to film the closed-door training session of the New Zealand team on Monday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.
Prince William made $42 million from his newly inherited estate last year, reports show
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.