Press Release
November 17, 2023
$15 million investment ensuring health supports are delivered where needed most
TORONTO —The Ontario government is investing $15 million this year to make it easier for people experiencing homelessness in the City of Toronto to connect to primary health care, mental health and other supports they need.
“We know people experiencing homelessness can face significant barriers to accessing health services, leaving them feeling unsupported within the health care system,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This initiative, and our ongoing annual investment, is another important step our government is taking to help ensure the appropriate health supports are delivered where they are needed most, in the community.”
Ontario’s ongoing annual investment into the Health Services for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Initiative, launched in 2020, is helping conveniently connect more people to health care services virtually as well as in-person at local shelters and mobile clinics. Developed by Ontario Health Toronto in collaboration with community partners such as Inner City Health Associates, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, and the Neighbourhood Group, the Initiative provides access to the following health care services and supports in the City of Toronto:
“Our government recognizes that supportive housing is a key element in preventing and addressing homelessness and provides vulnerable people across Ontario with housing solutions that best meets their needs,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “The investments we are announcing today, combined with other initiatives like the Homelessness Prevention Program, are providing supportive, safe and stable environments where people can chart a path to a better future.”
Over the past year, the Initiative has helped more than 9,000 people experiencing homelessness get the right care in the right place, including intervening and preventing more than 1,300 overdoses, and has significantly reduced hospital emergency department visits and admissions in the city.
“Our government is making significant investments across the mental health sector to ensure that Ontario’s most vulnerable people have targeted and reliable access to the mental health and addictions supports they need,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This annual investment into the Health Services for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Initiative will help ensure every person living in Ontario can feel fully supported in their journey to wellness and recovery including those experiencing homelessness.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is adding and expanding health care services in the community, making it easier for people to receive the care they need, where and when they need it. This includes building on the Roadmap to Wellness with additional investments, including in supportive housing to help provide housing and support for formerly homeless and low- and moderate-income people living with mental health and addictions challenges.
Quick Facts
Quotes
“Providing mobile harm reduction supports within a health and wellness framework for unsheltered populations at high needs sheltering sites, including to clients in isolation due to infectious health conditions is essential and lifesaving. We saw the value of this during the height of the pandemic, and we are pleased to now see this sustained investment as affirmation that integration of health and harm reduction are responsive pillars of services for this marginalized and often stigmatized population.”
– Angela Robertson
Executive Director, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
“This shared work with invaluable partners across the acute, community health and social care sectors reflects exactly the kind of investment in integrated care that efficiently drives community impact and health system performance. We are honoured to have this opportunity to continue our determined work building where it’s deeply needed and applaud Ontario’s ongoing commitment to innovation in value-based care.”
– Dr. Andrew Bond
Medical Director, Inner City Health Associates
“In the last three years, this initiative has been effective in providing integrated care and improving health outcomes for some of Toronto’s most vulnerable residents. Based on its success to date, we’re confident that the funding will continue to provide supports, such as interprofessional primary care access, mental health services, and peer worker support programs, along with mobile supports and community-embedded teams, to people no matter where they find shelter. The investment announced today demonstrates a continued commitment to advancing health equity for all people who live in Toronto, including those who often have challenges accessing health care through more conventional channels.”
– Anna Greenberg
Chief Regional Officer, Toronto and East Regions, Ontario Health
Additional Resources
Media Contacts
Hannah Jensen
Minister Jones’ Office
Hannah.R.Jensen@ontario.ca
Anna Miller
Communications Branch
media.moh@ontario.ca
416-314-6197
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