A new Poverty Reduction Strategy from the Ontario government is helping to reduce homelessness and poverty among low to moderate-income families. The strategy, “Realizing Our Potential,” aims to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent, increase access to jobs, education and training opportunities as well as create new affordable housing.

“No one should be forced to live on the street or be concerned about where they will sleep at night,” says Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in Ontario. “By committing to the goal of ending homelessness in Ontario, we are taking a bold step toward giving individuals who are struggling the support they need to have a safe place to call home.”

Through an investment of $16 million, over the course of three years, the Government of Ontario will create 1,000 new supportive housing spaces for Ontarians living with mental illness and addictions issues.

This new strategy builds upon Ontario’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy, “Breaking the Cycle,” launched in 2008. Since 2003, Ontario has invested over $4 billion in affordable housing initiatives.