Message from the Chair: NOSDA, AMO and OMSSA report on homelessness crisis
On behalf of The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB), I am sharing the media release below as circulated by the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA).
| Title | New report highlights staggering growth in homelessness across Northern Ontario |
|---|---|
| Date | January 9, 2025 |
| Source | Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) |
| Excerpt | The Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA), in collaboration with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA), has partnered with HelpSeeker to release a groundbreaking report on Ontario’s homelessness crisis.
The report, “Municipalities Under Pressure: The Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis,” quantifies the current and projected scope of homelessness, outlines the financial investments needed to achieve functional zero chronic homelessness by 2035, and identifies the funding gap across all levels of government. |
| Link | https://www.nosda.net/news/press |
| Disclaimer | Report is shared for information only. The report, including any findings, opinions and recommendations, are attributable to the original author and not TBDSSAB. |
TBDSSAB participated in the sharing of homeless data to contribute to a provincial picture, and we feel having province-wide data on the state of homelessness will assist in the development of new provincial strategies. Understanding the needs and pressures related to homelessness on a provincial level should assist in identifying opportunities and practices that will make a real impact.
Through provincial investments, TBDSSAB has invested heavily in the District of Thunder Bay to address homelessness. In the past 3 years, 190 supported transitional housing units have been created, to establish homes for those in need. Additional support services are provided to individuals and households to build resilience and foster a path towards greater independence. Though these efforts have resulted in solid change in addressing homelessness, we recognize that there is more work to be done.
TBDSSAB supports the goal to achieve functional zero chronic homelessness by 2035.
With the release of the “Municipalities Under Pressure: The Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis” report, TBDSSAB is poised to continue working with the province, municipalities, and sector organizations like AMO, OMSSA and NOSDA to address homelessness and improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
Thank you,
Brian Hamilton, Chair, TBDSSAB