NORTH BAY—A need for affordable housing and support for people at risk of homelessness impacts every community across Ontario. Many councils in the province have supported previous housing resolutions seeking help to address the challenges seen in the communities.
“Municipalities have heard Minister Steve Clark comment about Ontario needing a better housing deal from the federal government,” said Danny Whalen, president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM). “FONOM and its members wish to stand with the province so that Ontario can achieve better.”
Minister Clark, in a speech he made at the 2023 AMO Conference said, “Ontario is currently being underfunded by approximately $490 million for housing and homelessness over the term of the National Housing Strategy, based on the province’s level of Core Housing Need, which is the highest in the country.” Minister Clark went on to say, “we need our municipal partners to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us and urge the federal government to pay its fair share, so we can continue working together to deliver support and resources to vulnerable populations.”
FONOM is non-partisan, but the board believes more funding is required to address Ontario’s Housing challenges. Therefore, the board has written and endorsed a resolution, which speaks to the data, the current funding, and what should be changed to help Ontario achieve better.
