Thunder Bay DSSAB Seeks $4 Million Housing Boost and $1,000 Ontario Works Exemption at AMO
Updated
Updated · SNNewsWatch.com · Aug 14
Thunder Bay DSSAB Seeks $4 Million Housing Boost and $1,000 Ontario Works Exemption at AMO
1 articles · Updated · SNNewsWatch.com · Aug 14
Summary
Four priorities will anchor Thunder Bay DSSAB’s meetings with provincial ministries at the Aug. 16-19 AMO conference, led by a push to raise Ontario Works’ monthly earnings exemption to $1,000 from $200.
The board says the current $200 cap—about a day and a half of work—discourages recipients from taking part-time jobs that could lead to steadier employment.
$4 million in renewed housing funding through COCHI could help create up to 20 new affordable units, while OPHI support would help preserve DSSAB’s more than 2,400 existing units.
The board is also seeking funding for 40 supportive housing units with mental-health and addictions services, part of a wider need for 475 additional transitional and supportive units by 2030.
Indigenous housing is a separate ask: 58% of the district’s 1,129 people on the homelessness by-name list identify as Indigenous, while about 1,300 people are already waiting for affordable housing.