Feds to provide up to $6.3M for Building Hope
A federal grant could provide a huge, multi-million-dollar boost to Orillia’s Building Hope initiative.
The Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter learned recently that it could receive $6.3 million in grants from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Shelter executive director Linda Goodall said the grants will be delivered as long as certain criteria are met.
Orillia is once again showing the rest of the country how much generosity can be found in a small city.
Last month’s Coldest Night of the Year walk was the city’s most successful yet, raising $128,588 to combat homelessness — and there’s still time to donate.
Organizers had set a goal of $110,000.
Construction of first phase of Building Hope project could start this summer!
At Monday night’s city council committee meeting, councillors voted unanimously to forgive the $390,000 loan the municipal government provided to The Lighthouse Christian Ministries, so the agency can, with its partners, create 20 supportive housing units as part of its ambitious multi-phase facility on Queen Street.
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The 2018 Ontario Winter Games will attract more than 3,000 athletes, competing in approximately 25 sports over the four-day event. It is estimated the Ontario Winter Games will help generate nearly $6 million in economic activity in Orillia and area.
City council approved a zoning-bylaw amendment Friday to allow a shelter to be built at 75 Queen St. In the process, it cemented its $450,000 loan to the Lighthouse for the purchase of the property, the future home of the shelter at the centre of the Building Hope campaign.
Organizers are hopeful $100,000 can be raised at the fourth annual walk, taking place Feb. 25 in Orillia. The money brought in goes toward day-to-day operations at the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter, as well as the Building Hope initiative.
Simcoe County council voted in favour of giving $35,000 each to the Guesthouse shelter in Midland, the Orillia Building Housing Opportunities for Everyone (HOPE) and Barrie’s Pathways to End Homelessness. For the HOPE project, the funding means it can continue its search for a home that will include a community hub with a variety of services.
The Canadian Mental Health Association and Lighthouse Christian Ministries have teamed up to build a shelter for men, women and children in Orillia. The Orillia Building Hope project is on the hunt for its future home. The plan is to end homelessness and they’re looking to the County of Simcoe for help.
It’s cold out there. Walk with us on Saturday, February 20, 2016 in the Coldest Night of the Year, a fantastically fun, family-friendly walking fundraiser that raises money for the hungry, homeless and hurting in 100+ communities across Canada.