By Fort Erie Observer Staff
(Information provided by REACH Niagara)
July 13, 2026
Vulnerable residents across Niagara, including those in Fort Erie, are expected to have greater access to primary healthcare thanks to a $1.08 million investment in REACH Niagara.
The funding, provided through Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan in partnership with Niagara Medical Group Family Health Team, will allow REACH Niagara to expand its street healthcare, shelter-based care, encampment outreach, supportive housing services and interdisciplinary primary care throughout the region.
The investment is intended to connect more people experiencing homelessness and others facing barriers to healthcare with ongoing primary care.
Carolyn Dyer, Executive Director of REACH Niagara, said demand for the organization’s services has increased significantly in recent years.
“For many in our community, we are the only healthcare option,” said Dyer. “As homelessness continues to rise across Niagara, we are not only seeing more people, but we are also seeing more complex health needs.”
She said many clients face barriers that make it difficult to access traditional healthcare, including unstable housing, poverty, mental health challenges, substance use, transportation issues and a lack of identification.
“This investment through Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan means REACH can extend care and ensure ongoing primary care supports vulnerable community members who need it,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful to the province for seeing the need that we do and for their support in this work of meeting and caring for people where they are.”
REACH provides healthcare in shelters, supportive housing, encampments and other community settings while helping connect people to additional services that support their overall well-being.
Dr. Kimberley Bender, Medical Director for REACH Niagara, said the funding will strengthen the organization’s physician team and improve patient care.
“Our physician partners are at the heart of the care REACH provides, and we are grateful for the dedication of the 22 physicians who work alongside our interdisciplinary teams across Niagara,” said Bender.
“Thanks to this funding our physician team will have the additional support needed to provide more comprehensive, coordinated care for our patients. We are grateful to the Province of Ontario for recognizing that this work cannot be done alone.”
REACH expects the expansion will help connect approximately 2,500 Niagara residents to ongoing primary care.
According to the organization, demand for its services has grown dramatically over the past four years, increasing from 288 people served in 2022 to 10,590 in 2025. REACH also estimates it prevented 356 emergency department visits in 2025, resulting in more than $137,000 in avoided emergency department costs.
Implementation timelines and information about patient enrollment will be announced as the expanded services become available.
REACH Niagara is a non-profit charitable organization that provides healthcare services to people experiencing homelessness, survivors of intimate partner violence, individuals with justice involvement and others who face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare.
