Supportive housing is a foundation of stability for people who live with mental illness or addictions. The combination of affordable housing and support staff enables people to live in the community, with improved health outcomes and reduced use of health and emergency services. Supportive housing is a key to achieving Ontario’s goal of ending chronic homelessness within ten years.
This strategy was prepared by the Mental Health and Addictions Leadership Advisory Council’s Supportive Housing Working Group, chaired by Kwame McKenzie. The Council was appointed by the Ontario government to provide advice to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
The report lays out policy directions in four main areas: expanding the system, flexible support services, a range of housing options, and better coordination. It includes 15 recommendations to the government, including 30,000 more supportive housing units over ten years.