The City of Greater Sudbury has announced two new programs to reduce homelessness and improve housing stability. The federal government is providing funding of $2.5 million for the programs to get some individuals indoors this winter. The city successfully applied for federal funding using local data to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness. “We are very excited about these two initiatives,” said Jaclyn Seeler, the city’s director of housing services and homelessness. “We really feel that this is going to help us continue to address some of gaps that we are seeing in the community and the data driven results of this program are going to help us continue to advocate to the provincial and federal government on the needs of the community.” The funding is meant to operate the programs until March 2028. Pathways to Stability: Bridge Housing for Older Adults with Complex Needs One of the new programs is called Pathways to Stability: Bridge Housing for Older Adults with Complex Needs. “In regard to the program for older adults it really is to focus on those that are medically compromised and require wraparound support to achieve long-term housing stability,” said Seeler. “The city noted in its data that there slightly over 100 seniors that are recognized as experiencing homelessness on the streets and in encampments in Sudbury right now. So, a program directed to seniors locally is going to go a long way in helping those in need,” said Ray Landry, the co-ordinator of the Sudbury Homelessness Network. Pathways Home: A Housing-Focused Response to Unsheltered Homelessness The second program is called Pathways Home: A Housing-Focused Response to Unsheltered Homelessness. “Unsheltered homelessness really speaks to individuals that are living in positions that we wouldn’t deem habitable,” said Seeler. “That can include things like encampments (or) staying outdoors. It can also include spaces such as your vehicle, sleeping on people’s couches, couch surfing (or) staying with friends and family.” The city said chronic homelessness is defined as those individuals who have been homeless for six months or longer. Individuals eligible for the programs will be prioritized from the city’s coordinated access system. The city confirms both programs will house people indoors for up to six months and then support them to transition to long-term housing stability, telling CTV News that the locations have been secured with details to be released soon.
