The federal government has announced a cash injection of $86 million over five years to help reduce homelessness in Toronto.
The investment is part of the Harper government's Canada-wide "Housing First" program, launched in 2014 as an effort to curb homelessness across the country.
According to Finance Minister Joe Oliver, the city will work with a community advisory board to decide where to spend the money, but 65 per cent must be dedicated to affordable housing initiatives.
"With this new funding, Toronto's most vulnerable will have more of the support they need, not only to survive, but to thrive," Oliver told reporters in Toronto on Friday.
Speaking at the news conference, Toronto Mayor John Tory called the investment a "shining example" of what people want to see from politicians.
He said the money will go toward finding and keeping affordable housing, but did not provide any specific details.
Following the deaths of three homeless people last month, Tory said the city has learned to be more flexible with warming centre hours and shelter rules.
He said there will be a full report on homelessness and the Toronto shelter system coming out in March which will have budget recommendations for permanent solutions.
