eature Senes Province committed to endmg poverty' MPP All levels of government must come together to make affordable housing a prionty housing and integrated supportive housâ€" ing to help people with specific needs access suitable housing, among other supports. Last year, the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative helped nearly 40,000 families and individuals across the province acquire housing. It also assisted more than 115,000 families and individuals on the verge of homelessness. For every $15 million invested in the Initiaâ€" tive, an estimated 2,600 individuals and families are helped by obtainâ€" ing housing or allowing 14,200 households to remain stable. "When people have a home, they are healthier, able to pursue employment and are equipped to participate in, and contribute to, their comâ€" munities in a fulsome way," said Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon at the recent funding announcement, adding the provincial government will be providing an additional $30 million over the next two years, bringing the Province‘s total annual investment to the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative to almost $324 million by 2018. he key to curbing instances of homelessâ€" ness and help families out of poverty is funding. "A family having sufficient income is one of the ways we can reduce child poverty," exâ€" plained Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal. The Ontario Child Benefit is the cornerstone of Ontario‘s poverty reduction strategy for children. More than $4 billion spent on affordable TsO In 2015, the provincial government increased the maximum Child Benefit te $1,336 PE child under the age of 18. "One million children in 500,000 owâ€" to modâ€" erateâ€"income families are benditting from this," he said, noting the Provime is putting money in the pocket of families bY continuâ€" ing to raise minimum wage. Last year, minimum wage wa increased from $11 to $11.25. "We‘ll continue to do that every October, based on the Ontario ConsumerIndex Price," said Leal. At the federal level, the Liberal 3overnment eliminated the Canada Child Tix, National Child and Universal Child Care senefits, reâ€" placing these with one child benefit that will put more maney in walâ€" lets of low and micdleâ€"income families effective uly 2016. The program, aicording. to the government, pays up to $6,400 per chil¢ under six and up to $5,40) per child for those aged six through 17. Higher earners will receive less money under the child senefit. "This is an initiative that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty and will senefit nine out of 10 Canadian families," Peterborough MP Maryam Monsef said. "It is going to be tied to income so that it provides the greatâ€" est support to those that need the help the most." Monsef said poverty is not just about dolâ€" lars and having food on the tatle, but also having a dignified roof over your head. Part of the Liberal Party‘s election patform was promising $20 billion over 10 yeirs for social infrastructure. "These investments will prioritiz» affordable housing," she explains. "It will dso provide supports to municipalities to miintain rentâ€" gearedâ€"toâ€"income subsidy." Making Your Property Beautiful so You can Sell it Faster! HOME DESIGNS Ni AAilhi 416â€"806â€"9719 * annie@hdstaging.co Real Estate Staging & Furniture Rental www.hdstagingâ€"e _ Milton Transitional Housing Executive Director Donna Danielli credits the good work of Halton Region on the affordable housing front. Graham Paine /Metroland West Media Group While the various investments to address housing are pieces of the puzzle, MTH Exâ€" ecutive Director Donna Danielli thinks the ultimate solution will be found if all levels of government can collaborate on the issue. "The Region is doing some great work, but all levels of government need to work together and make affordable housing a priority," she said. "We‘re growing so rapidly, but so little of the housing being buiilt is affordable." Since 2003, Ontario has committed more than $4 billion to affordable housing. This figure includes the recent federalâ€"provincial partnership to extend the Investment in Afâ€" fordable Housing program, said Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn, the Province‘s Minister of Pest Control F\HAL‘I@N REGION MENTION THIS AD & GET A FREE QUOTE TODAY! (Milton & Area Residences Only) SPECIALISING IN RESIDENTIAL PEST MANAGEMENIJ www. haltonreglonpeStCO“tm' .com Safeguarding Families of HALTON FOR OVER 25 YEARS b Insidehalton.com Labour. The provincial government, said Flynn, has a goal to end chronic homelessness by 2025. z "In order to meet that goal, we have to adâ€" 2 firess the root causes of homelessness. it 9 just doesn‘t happen. Things happen and a hqmelessness then occurs as a result," he 2 said. "The importance of stable housing enâ€" ters all facets of our society and it can‘t be understated. When we put an end to chronic e homelessness, we all thrive." In its 85â€"page report, the Canadian Obserâ€" vatory on Homelessness and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness provide a roadmap for the way forward. The journey : g begins at the federal level, where renewed 3 interest in housing and homelessness is a 2 & springboard for change. Adopting a national goal of ending homeâ€" lessness with clear measurable outcomes, a milestones and criteria is one of the many 3 recommendations listed in The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. "If we want to provide people the opportuâ€" nity to leave homelessness, we need to inâ€" vest in housing," said the report. Investments, to the tune of $50 per Canaâ€" dian, per year, could achieve just that. The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016 report calls on the Government of Canada to permanently restore its Homelessness Partâ€" nering Strategy to 1999 levels. "Accounting for inflation, this amount in 2016 would be $349 million annually, a difâ€" ference of $158 million," said the report. In Ontario, the Liberals‘ commitment to endâ€" ing poverty and homelessness is "unwaverâ€" ing," said Halton MPP Indira Naidooâ€"Harris. "I‘m sure we‘ve all known someone in our lives who has had a tough time â€" a young adult, a single parent, even a senior. The stoâ€" ries of survival can be compelling and movâ€" ing," she said. 9TOZ ‘g saqwadag Aepsiny} | 6g NVIGVNY NOIdWVH oz uoreya Tel: 905.876.1941 Follow us on: & @infoHRPC ervnce@haItonreglonpestcontrol .com %