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Reaching Home – Funding

 Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

Rural and Remote (Ontario)

 

THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOW OPEN (2023-2024)

 

United Way Simcoe Muskoka, in partnership with its Regional Advisory Board (RAB), invites organizations operating in rural and remote communities across Ontario to submit applications for funding consideration.

The Government of Canada is taking decisive action to help communities address the impacts of the pandemic among people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, and to provide additional support to the homeless-serving sector during this period.

A total of $3,231,547 will be available to support the needs of individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, including those that support culturally appropriate programming for Indigenous individuals and families.

Projects must take place during the funding period of April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

Funding priorities for the 2023-2024 funding period include: funding organizations serving rural and remote clients in Northern Ontario; projects that create new units or maintain and improve the quality of existing units; projects that demonstrate that funding can be invested in 12-month period of time; projects that serve vulnerable populations and organizations new to United Way Simcoe Muskoka and Reaching Home Rural and Remote are supported.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 AT 5:00PM EST

 

Please review the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) ‘Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Directives’ found here before submitting an application. Please note on November 2, 2022, the Homelessness Policy Directorate (HPD) at Infrastructure Canada published content updates on the Infrastructure Canada – Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Directives Web page. These updates provide greater clarity around the temporary COVID-19 flexibilities, and the removal of these flexibilities as of the next fiscal year (starting April 1, 2023).

If you have any questions, are unsure if you are eligible or would like to discuss your project idea(s), please contact:

Kelsey Nicholls | Federal Programs Associate
705.726.2301 x 2026
ReachingHome@UWSimcoeMuskoka.ca

Tally Lajeunesse | Federal Programs Associate
705.726.2301 x 2012
ReachingHome@UWSimcoeMuskoka.ca

Application Instructions

Before you begin:

  • The application must be completed in one sitting (time limit is 3 hours).
  • Select “Submit your Application” to begin.
  • You are required to complete all supporting documentation first before starting your Application.
  • If you are applying for a capital project with a funding request of $50,000 or higher, please select the ‘Capital project $50,000 +’ option below; otherwise select ‘General project‘.

Note: All documents must be sent to the Reaching Home inbox: ReachingHome@UWSimcoeMuskoka.ca

General Project Application Details (Including capital projects up to $50,000)

Additional Resources
Below are some resources that can assist with your Reaching Home General Project application:

Capital Project $50,000+ Application Details

Note: By selecting this option you are identifying that that your organization is interested in submitting a capital application for a funding request between $50,000 and $500,000 for a capital asset(s).

Before you begin:

  • The application must be completed in one sitting (time limit is 3 hours).
  • Select “Submit your Application” to begin.
  • You are required to complete all supporting documentation first before starting your Application.

Capital Project Applications

    1. Completed budget template with detailed budget notes for Reaching Home funding, including all other funding sources
    2. Copy of all permits and approvals associated with capital project as identified in Required Documents Checklist
    3. Completed Capital Sustainability Checklist
    4. The Reaching Home grant is a one-time investment that must be expended within a 12-window ending March 31, 2024. Reaching Home considers a project sustainable when either the project activities or benefits achieved as a result of the project activities continue after the Reaching Home grant has ended. Please provide a Sustainability Plan that includes components outlines in the Capital Sustainability Checklist and the following:
      • A description of your partnerships
      • Confirmation of funding sources for ongoing operations
      • Report if the project will increase the level of service or remain stable
      • A timeline for the completion of your capital project
      • Outline how the project will prevent homelessness and reduce chronic homelessness in your community over the next five years
      • Outline whether the project will increase housing units or service available or remain stable
      • People or populations that will be served
      • How will your organization continue to deliver the activities and/or sustain the benefits of your proposed project once the Reaching Home grant ends?
    5. A Minimum of 2-3 Letters of Support from local partners that include:
        • Acknowledgement of capital project
        • Partner(s) contribution to the project (in-kind or financial)
        • Confirmation of support of this project in their community
        • Relationship between organizations
        • Confirmation of project need in community
    6. Applicable quotes for any expense(s) over $5,000. A minimum of 2 quotes from different contractors or businesses is required.
    7. Completed Development and Construction Schedule including the following, where applicable:
      • All development and construction milestones
      • Execution of purchase and sale agreement for real estate
      • Project manager and contact details
      • Status of all permits, zoning and land designation
      • Status of Procurement and award of contractor
      • Approvals and Funding Agreements
      • Confirmed operating funding for additional housing units. Any potential risks to project completion and strategies to mitigate any risks
      • Relevant activities, and pertinent information that outlines how the funding will be invested by March 31, 2024
      • Management:
        • Project Management:
          • Identify current or previous projects managed in the last 5 years of similar type, size and scope or provide similar details for company undertaking management for project
        • Housing Development:
          • Identify projects of similar size and scope completed in the same market or comparable sized communities within the last 5 years or provide the name of the construction company/general contractor who will undertake the build

Note: If funding for your project is approved, United Way Simcoe Muskoka may request copies of materials identified in the Development and Construction Schedule.

Note: All documents must be sent to the Reaching Home inbox: ReachingHome@UwSimcoeMuskoka.ca

Additional Resources
Below are some resources that can assist with your Reaching Home application: