Media Release: TBDSSAB and Dilico Announce Transitional Housing funded by Social Services Relief Funding

Thunder Bay, ON, December 9, 2022 – The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care are partnering to increase transitional housing options in Thunder Bay.

Dilico has received a combined total of $800,000 in capital funding through TBDSSAB and the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) to support the development of 10 new transitional housing spaces that can accommodate up to 20 individuals at their Yonge Street location in Thunder Bay. The project received $390,728 through SSRF Phase 4 and an additional $409,272 from TBDSSABs reserve funds. MPP Kevin Holland, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, joined representatives from Dilico and TBDSSAB in Thunder Bay this morning to make the announcement.

The funded project will provide low-barrier transitional housing units with access to wraparound supports and programming for tenants. The space is fully accessibly and will include 10 double-occupancy units and communal spaces. Construction began July 2022 and is scheduled to be completed March 2023.

This new investment will provide a safe space in the local continuum of housing services for Indigenous young people to mitigate risk factors and increase protective factors. They will be able to engage with other young people transitioning into adulthood in a supportive living environment that is inclusive and provides other on-site support services such as cultural and land-based activities, life skill building, coping skill development; as well as access individual and group counselling, and supports with entry to education and employment opportunities.

This is the second capital funding partnership announced this year involving TBDSSAB and Dilico. In February, TBDSSAB announced $800,000 in SSRF capital funding toward the acquisition and updating of space that will be utilized as Indigenous Mental Health and Addictions Transitional Supportive Housing. With today’s announcement, the combined contribution from TBDSSAB to Dilico is $1.6 million through TBDSSAB toward transitional housing.

Left to Right: Kevin Holland MPP, Kristine Stasiuk Dilico, Jody Davis TBDSSAB, Bill Bradica TBDSSAB

Left to Right: Kevin Holland MPP, Kristine Stasiuk Dilico, Jody Davis TBDSSAB, Bill Bradica TBDSSAB

Quotes:

“Dilico Anishinabek Family Care welcomes the support of Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund. Providing a supportive housing environment that is geared for young people entering adulthood is a priority and Dilico is committed to ensuring young people have an adequate range of housing and support services to meet their unique needs. We are excited to be able to provide this service and believe filling this gap will result with healthier young Indigenous adults, who have more personal protective factors and improved independent living skills.” – Tina Bobinski, Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

“On behalf of the TBDSSAB Board of Directors, we are so pleased to announce another transitional housing project with our partners at Dilico. Transitional housing offers tenants the supports they need, when and where they need them. Partnerships with organizations like Dilico make it possible to offer transitional housing. We are grateful to Dilico and the Province of Ontario for helping address the need for supportive housing options in our District.”
– Lucy Kloosterhuis, Chair, TBDSSAB Board of Directors

 

“Although we know that there is more to do, it is great to see  further expansion of the transitional housing the service system. We are grateful for the support of the province through the Social Services Relief Fund, and to our Board for contributing to this important project from TBDSSAB reserve funds.”
– Bill Bradica, Chief Administrative Officer, TBDSSAB

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