Mitigating Homelessness

2020

February
Mayor’s Round Table report, issued pre-pandemic, emphasized the need for solutions for vulnerable populations; mental health and addictions services, low barrier shelter (LBS) and transitional housing

$1.2M in capital was approved by MMAH for a 16 bed transitional housing development (later to be known as Northern Pines). RFP for operator issued.

April
Opening of LBS at Centre of Friends in (moved to YMCA April 16th, then Pete Pelangio Arena, and finally Chippewa site in August 2020).  These sites included on-site COVID isolation space.

SSRF Provincial COVID one-time funding and Federal COVID funding directed to the priority of establishing a temporary 24 hour low barrier emergency shelter.   

October
SSRF COVID and OPHI Provincial funding for 20 additional (modular) housing units for Chippewa site, added 9 beds to LBS in addition to 12 existing and 10 overflow spaces at the end of January.

December
Opened day program – Monday to Friday at Chippewa site -on weekends at IFC from mid-December 2020 to April 30th 2021, providing support services and shelter from cold.   

2021

June
Using the SSRF and  OPHI funding, construction for Gateway House Phase 2 began. These 20 units will provide affordable and supportive housing for individuals who are moving along the housing continuum.

August
Requests for funding to increase the supply of affordable housing  with supports (such as Northern Pines) made to MoH and MMAH through AMO delegations.

September
A Homelessness Landscape Report was created to serve as a checkpoint and to provide a clear path of action to addressing the increase to homelessness.

October
A Homelessness Action Plan was developed to provide a realistic and attainable path of action which is within the Board’s scope of responsibility and strategic direction.

The “See the Person” Anti-Stigma campaign began.

November
Funded through the IAH, Gateway Phase 1 opened. These 16 units provide stable, supported housing for individuals who are currently homeless or at risk, and living with complex barriers.

December
Advocacy for housing and health supports as MPP Vic Fedeli toured the Gateway (later Northern Pines) Campus.

2022

January
By-Name List of homeless individuals in the Nipissing District has been developed and is active.

The Low-Barrier Shelter has been stabilized with funding through to March 31, 2023.

February
An Encampment Coordinated Response Table was formed and meets regularly.

DNSSAB received an increase to its annual allocation for the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit.

April
The Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) launched on April 1, 2022, replacing the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) and the Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program (SCRSP). Unlike CHPI and SCRSP, HPP is tied to the By-Name List and aligns with Coordinated Access efforts.

Announced April 7, 2022, the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) received nearly $1.3 million through the Social Services Relief Fund Phase 5 to assist with the delivery of critical services, create longer-term housing solutions, and keep people safe. 

The Northern Pines transitional and supportive housing campus was officially announced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 21, 2022.

June
The DNSSAB became a Built for Zero Canada member community with the goal of ending chronic and veteran homelessness in the Nipissing District.

July
HIFIS 4.0 officially went live with Phase 1 Coordinated Access Nipissing members on July 1^st. To date, there are 313 clients entered in the system.

September
Announced on September 13, 2022, the Nipissing District Housing Corporation became the new owners and landlords of Mackay Homes; a 65-unit seniors residence. This transfer of ownership ensures that these affordable housing units are sustained in the community. 

Phase 1 of the Northern Pines transitional and supportive housing campus reached full occupancy. All 16 rooms are now occupied.