Grey County has secured $362,420 in federal funding to support a new pilot project aimed at reducing homelessness by helping individuals successfully transition to permanent housing.
The funding comes through the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness’ Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund. Grey County’s “Transitions to Permanent Housing Pilot Project” will run from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
The initiative targets a major gap in services—ensuring that people who move into housing receive the follow-up supports they need to remain housed.
"What we've specifically decided to tackle is the returns to homelessness," said Josh Gibson, Grey County’s Manager of Housing Programs. "So a lot of times when we're supporting people in moving from our By Names List, around 30 per cent of the time, they're actually returning to the homelessness system because of a lack of supports, dealing with those local landlords, getting them set up with appropriate referral services once they've been housed."
In 2024, 99 households on Grey County’s By-Name List secured housing, but a third returned to homelessness. The new pilot aims to cut that rate by more than half.
"So this pilot project is for two positions to work with a total of 48 households off of our By Names List over the 12-month period," Gibson explained. "And what they'll be doing is touching base with households three times a week at a minimum. They'll be helping to liaise with the landlords to intervene in any issues that come up early in the tenancies."
Households will also receive a rent supplement and a $250 incentive during their first six months to ease their transition and encourage engagement with the program.
“This project will strengthen our ability to support individuals after they secure housing, reducing evictions and helping them remain stably housed,” said Josh Gibson, Grey County’s Manager of Housing Programs.
The pilot is fully funded through the grant, with no impact on the County levy.