Timmins is one of six new communities earmarked for federal funding to prevent and reduce homelessness.
Living Space is the community entity that will receive the Reaching Home funds. As part of the program, they'll receive $1.6 million over the next four years — that's $287,420 in 2020-21, and $456,585 per year until 2023-24.
The Timmins hub focused on ending homelessness in the community is also receiving $130,000 per year for the next two years through Rural and Remote funding. According to the organization, this cash means growth and stability for the outreach program and intake and assessment processes.
“This consistent funding stream is vital to achieving our goal of ending chronic homelessness in Timmins by 2025. These funds will sustain and grow our housing-focused programming and ensure that all marginalized people in our community have access to the services and supports they need,” stated Jason Sereda, Living Space executive director, in a news release.
“Homelessness and the risk of homelessness is a reality for too many in our community. This continued funding will make a real and lasting impact on the lives of the vulnerable people in our community, and I am excited that Living Space is being recognized for the positive impact the organization is making to the community."
Living Space board chair and Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board chair Brian Marks said the funding will help reconcile "the discrepancy between Timmins having a disproportionately high homeless population while being considerably underfunded to address the situation."
“To end homelessness, Living Space will need more than financial resources. We will need the coordinated support of our partner service providers in mental health and addictions and our First Nations and urban Indigenous service partners," he said.
While Living Space's hub — which includes an emergency shelter, services, and transitional housing — is located on Cedar Street, it has set up temporary sites across the city due to COVID-19.
Every night, about 60 people are staying at three locations, the main shelter, as well as temporary sites at the McIntyre Curling Club and Northern College residence.
Through the pandemic, Marks recently said the overall homeless numbers in Timmins haven't changed, but the number of people relying on the organization has.
He explained it's because the options for people who were couch surfing have ended and they are now requiring services through Living Space.
