Corporations contribute $750K to help Syrian refugees pay for housing in Toronto

Three corporations are contributing $750,000 to a new pilot program that will help Syrian refugees pay for the rental units they have found in Toronto, the Community Foundations of Canada says.

The money is coming from what is called the Welcome Fund for Syrian Refugees, established by Manulife, CN and General Motors to help the 25,000 government-sponsored Syrian refugees who have come to Canada. 

Andrew Chunilall, chief operating officer of Community Foundations of Canada, a national network of 191 community foundations, said the funds will help 1,800 government-sponsored Syrian refugees stay in permanent housing and will bridge the gap between the amount they receive from the federal government for rent and the actual cost of a rental unit in Toronto.

"Although people are in permanent housing, they need money to stay on it," he said.

He said the money will help Syrian refugees already in Toronto for a period of six to 12 months.

Mario Calla, executive director of COSTI Immigrant Services, said the new pilot program will identify "new rent-reduced units" for Syrian refugees. 

"The most difficult part of resettlement has been finding suitable accommodation," Calla said.

Calla said COSTI Immigrant Services, which has resettled 1,800 government-sponsored Syrian refugees in Toronto since last December, expects another 1,100 in the city by the end of the year.

Immigration Minister John McCallum, in Toronto for the announcement, thanked corporate donors in Toronto for helping to resettle Syrian refugees in the city.

McCallum said "100 per cent" of government-sponsored Syrian refugees in Toronto have found permanent housing, while 98 per cent are in permanent housing in the rest of Canada.

"This was a huge challenge. But in large measure, thanks to the private-sector contributions, it's one that has largely been resolved," he said.

"The other major challenges, which are ongoing, are to make sure our refugees know English or French and to help them get jobs. So that will be an ongoing effort."

Money announced on Newcomer Day

McCallum said financial contributions from corporations have made a huge difference to the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Canada and that corporations is playing an important role with its contributions. The federal government is giving close to $700 million to resettle Syrian refugees in Canada.

"The private sector is able to provide rent subsidies," he said.

"The response of Canadians reflects who we are," McCallum said. "It is who we are as a country. It is wonderful to see."

The pilot program will bring together landlords and settlement services organizations to help refugees continue to pay for the housing they have found. Landlords will be asked to make contributions to reduce rental costs further.

Chunilall said the money was announced on Newcomer Day in Toronto. 

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