The County of Simcoe and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) have launched a new initiative aimed at ending veteran homelessness in the region, providing targeted support to veterans struggling to find and maintain stable housing.
Veterans First is backed by $465,000 in federal funding over the next year through the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund (HRIF). The fund is part of the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy and is administered by the CAEH.
The initiative will focus on helping Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing and access the supports needed to remain housed long term.
"People who serve in the in the Canadian forces are willing to put themselves in the harm's way for us," said Tim Richter, CEO of the CAEH. "But in exchange for that service for that selflessness and the sacrifice, we as Canadians have a duty of care to support them and to take care of them when while they serve, and after.
"Veteran homelessness is ample evidence that Canadians are not always very good at holding up our end of the bargain."
Under the program, veterans will work with a dedicated team of Intensive Case Managers who will provide individualized support tailored to each person’s needs. A Landlord Liaison will also help expand access to housing opportunities, while flexible funding will be available to address barriers that may prevent veterans from obtaining stable housing.
The program will also use enhanced Quality By-Name Data to track outcomes and ensure veterans can be connected to housing and support services as quickly as possible.
Participants will have access to trauma-informed care, benefits navigation and community-based supports. Personalized service plans will focus on housing stability, life skills development, health and mental health outcomes, income stability, social inclusion and connections to veteran-specific resources.
"Our strategy goes beyond getting people housed," said Andrew Skeverelli, the County of Simcoe's director of housing and homelessness services. "It focuses on creating supports, stability, and opportunities needed to help individuals maintain permanent housing and rebuild their lives."
Federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said the funding will help connect veterans in Simcoe County with care and resources tailored to their unique experiences, helping them find a safe and stable place to call home.
County of Simcoe Warden Basil Clarke welcomed the launch, saying veterans have earned the support through their service to the country.
"When you put your life and you sacrifice for this country to find yourself later down the road struggling just to put a roof over your head… now it's time to be there for them," Clarke said.
Officials said Veterans First is integrated into Simcoe County's 10-point Homelessness Prevention Plan, which uses real-time data to identify and respond to homelessness while coordinating services across the region.
It will operate over the next 12 months, delivered in partnership with Empower Simcoe, Contact Community Services, and Brock, with each organization providing supports tailored to veterans' needs.
