Human Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you mentioned, my name is Jeff Neven and I am the CEO at Indwell. Indwell is a Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging. Our three core values are dignity, love and hope.

Human Resources committee  I would concur that we need to move this legislation forward. It's much needed. I would really encourage all members of Parliament to do whatever they can to move it forward. The reality is that I was in a conversation just this week with a close friend who is on the edge of bec

Human Resources committee  We have reached out to members of Parliament, as well as all levels of government, to raise the issue that people living with permanent disabilities do not have adequate means to cover the basic necessities of life.

Human Resources committee  Most of our consultation has been through the housing side of things. In the housing conversation, that directly is about people's income. I have a deep appreciation for Minister Hussen, who's had multiple roundtables in communities where we've been. He continues to reach out—in

Human Resources committee  As I mentioned, our approach has been through a housing lens. As a part of that conversation, income is a key driver in the cause of the housing side of things.

Human Resources committee  Yes. Thank you, MP Collins. It is actually dire. As I mentioned, our organization is focused on the approximately seven million people who live south and southwest of Toronto in that area from Mississauga all the way down to Chatham. Across that region, a windowless basement ap

Human Resources committee  This is a daily story for us. Literally, in any given year, we have thousands of folks calling us in desperate situations. In our case, our primary area of expertise, when it comes to supports, is with those experiencing mental illness and addictions. The impact of struggling wi

Human Resources committee  It's essential that this benefit be in addition to what folks are currently receiving as income, whether that be from the province or other subsidy programs. If there's a clawback, it goes against the very intent of helping people have more income in order to purchase the basic n

Human Resources committee  Thank you for that clarifying question. As I mentioned, in our geography—the area of southwestern Ontario—that gap on the housing piece alone is about $1,000 currently. The biggest factor that forces people into homelessness is that they can't pay for their housing. I suggest

Human Resources committee  I think it is important that we clarify the minimum amount. That's going to really impact the potential benefits of this program. I would concur with Mr. Gladstone's testimony relating to the urgency and the timelines required. If an amendment could be made to improve the timel

Human Resources committee  We're moving into an area that's not necessarily my area of expertise, but I'll just say that from my perspective, it seems that putting it in the bill legislates these details and ensures the minimum standards and such; however, if that were to slow down the process, then it's a

Human Resources committee  Yes. Thank you for that question. The need is tremendous. It's similar to the number of folks who are living in poverty due to a disability. It comes as no shocker that when people have only a little over $500 to purchase housing that costs $1,500, it leads to homelessness. I c

Human Resources committee  That is correct. It's incredibly difficult, even with the current programs that exist, because the ability of individuals to purchase their housing is so very low. Even with those capital support programs, currently it's nearly impossible to create deeply affordable housing in th

Human Resources committee  I think that's for another committee, perhaps, but what I will say is that this benefit, if implemented, would work hand in hand with the national housing strategy and actually make that strategy much more effective. For those like the community living folks you mentioned, the

Human Resources committee  Absolutely.