Income Security Advocacy Centre

ISAC works to address issues of income security and poverty in Ontario

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CSUMB / Housing and Homelessness Supports

The Ontario government’s 2012 Budget announced the elimination of the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) from Ontario’s two social assistance programs (Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program) starting in January 2012.

ISAC was among hundreds of community groups, organizations, and individuals across Ontario who expressed significant concern over the loss of CSUMB. Partnering with our sister clinic, the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO), local community clinics and other groups across Ontario, we undertook a number of policy advocacy and community organizing activities to oppose the move.

Click on the links below for our policy advocacy and community organizing posts and associated documents.

  • Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit: $42 million made permanent May 1, 2014- After our coalition of more than 27 community-based organizations in Ontario wrote to the government urging more funding for housing and homelessness prevention programs this past November, we’re pleased to report that 2014 Budget includes this nugget: “The government is enhancing annual funding for the CHPI by $42 million starting in 2014-15, to a total ...
  • Community Start-Up: Help make $42 million permanent in CHPI! November 27, 2013- Communities across Ontario need more funds for housing and homelessness supports Right now, local and regional municipalities across Ontario are planning their budgets for 2014. One of the issues they’re debating is how to respond to the need of low-income Ontarians in their communities to secure or retain housing. Beginning in January 2013, the Community Start-Up ...
  • Update: Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit January 18, 2013- On December 27, 2012, the provincial government announced $42 million in one-time funding for local housing and homelessness initiatives. The announcement says that the money “will assist eligible municipalities as they develop and implement their Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) plans. Funds will be allocated to meet the needs of the most vulnerable Ontarians - including social assistance recipients - to ensure their stability through this period of transition as plans are developed.” The funds will be provided to municipalities for the period January 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. What does this announcement mean?
  • The Real Cost of Cutting the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit November 14, 2012- The provincial government's decision to eliminate the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) will have negative impacts - not only on housing, but also on people's health. The Wellesley Institute and ISAC - along with ACTO, the AOHC, Street Health, and the Peterborough County-City Health Unit - have partnered to produce a new report, “The Real Cost of Cutting the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit: A Health Equity Impact Assessment.” The report calls on the provincial government to halt the planned elimination of CSUMB and reinstate the $67 million in funding.
  • Take a ‘Call-in Coffee Break’ to save the CSUMB September 25, 2012- On Friday, Sept. 28th take 5 minutes to tell your MPP to reverse the cuts to housing benefits for people on OW and ODSP! Every month, thousands of people in Ontario need the Community Start-up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) and the Home Repairs Benefit (HRB) to stay housed or establish a new home. These benefits work ...
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