Lanark County 2024 Housing and Homelessness Report Presented

Press Release – Lanark County

Lanark County Council received the 2024 Housing and Homelessness Report presented by Director of Social Services Emily Hollington at the community services committee meeting earlier this month.

This marks the tenth year for the Housing and Homelessness Plan, which focused on seven priorities, including increased access to housing, ending homelessness, non-profit housing corporations and cooperatives, private market, coordination with community services, meeting a broad range of community needs and environmental sustainability.

Hollington outlined highlights from 2024, including:

• The opening of 44 Chambers St. in Smiths Falls in partnership with Carebridge Community Support, which has a 40-year commitment for 28 rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units and six affordable units
• A collaboration between Carebridge Community Support and Community Housing Initiative Perth to develop a 15-unit building with construction beginning this year
• A $4.97-million agreement with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (30/70 split with the county) for Isolara solar panel installation at three housing complexes, Climate Works cold climate heat pumps at 125 units across the county and a deep energy and accessibility retrofit at 24 Bourke St. in Smiths Falls
• Two projects approved with developers through the Affordable Housing Tax Incentive Grant to provide funding to applicants meeting the affordability criteria in the form of an annual operating grant
• Ongoing assistance to clients through RGI housing
• A range of housing programs, including first-time home purchase through the Homeownership Downpayment Program; mandatory home repairs for 16 households through Renovate Lanark; 242 residents benefiting from the Portable Housing Benefit program; 30 residents receiving rental assistance through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative Housing Allowance
• Homeless response activities, including the Housing Assistance Program, gift cards, backpacks, a crisis bed, the after-hours homeless assistance program and nine new Adult Supportive Housing beds at Shardon Manor
• Public education sessions and a “Yes In My Back Yard” campaign around World Homelessness Day
• By-Name List activities, including 99 chronically homeless households identified, a 334-per cent increase in homeless youth from 2023, 99 households housed and 25 households supported through rent subsidy
• Opening of The Bridge House – a 22-bed facility designed to provide housing for individuals experiencing homelessness from the By-Name List and managed by Lanark County Mental Health, which provides various supports.

“Lanark County Council remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that every resident has access to safe and affordable housing,” said Lanark County Warden Toby Randell (Carleton Place Mayor).

For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.