Minister Duclos: Announcement of new funding for the Innovative Solutions to Homelessness (ISH) stream of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS)

Ottawa, Ontario - September 26, 2016

Hello,

I would like to start by thanking and commending the entire team at Enactus uOttawa, the organization that is hosting us today. I would also like to highlight the excellent work they do in social innovation, both here in the region and throughout the country. I feel honoured to be here today.

The partnerships that Enactus has built over the years with colleges and universities are a perfect example of what we can accomplish when we all work together.

By bringing together students, universities and business professionals, Enactus supports the development of socially responsible projects in order to face the social challenges we want to tackle head-on.

I would like to highlight the presentation by Mr. Bulthuis of the Alliance to End Homelessness, who spoke to the importance of using an innovative, community-based approach: an approach that is both collaborative and inclusive; an approach that develops customized support and new partnerships to improve access to housing.

Collaboration is an important component of social innovation and social finance— different levels of government, charities, community organizations, and the private sector coming together to build a better society.

The projects presented by Operation Come Home Executive Director Elspeth McKay are excellent examples of how collaboration among different sectors can help us find solutions to issues like youth homelessness and the social isolation of seniors.

It is now time for our government to demonstrate leadership in social innovation and bring our partners together to address major social issues like homelessness.

In the 2016 budget, our government has invested an additional $111.8 million over a two-year period, starting in 2016–2017, aimed at combatting homelessness through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). This increase of 50% in HPS funding is the first one since 1999.

The HPS is a unique community project that aims to prevent and reduce homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 communities to help them combat homelessness.

One of the greatest strengths of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy is that it encourages cooperation among all levels of government, the private sector and the social sector to find innovative solutions.

The HPS has already shown significant results, to the benefit of many Canadians in need.

Since its creation, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefited from learning and training opportunities.

More than 34,000 people have received help to find work, and more than 6,000 new shelter beds have been created. Also, more than 82,000 people have been placed in more stable housing.

Until now, our efforts have been primarily focused on service delivery and on implementing programs and activities related to homelessness. But since homelessness is a complex and evolving social issue, further action is needed in the areas of research and innovation.

Accordingly, over $12.5 million in new funding announced in the 2016 budget will go to the Innovative Solutions to Homelessness funding stream. This significant increase will allow a wide range of stakeholders and organizations to develop and test innovative approaches to preventing and reducing homelessness, especially among Indigenous Canadians, youth, women fleeing violence, and veterans.

Our objective is to find and implement new ways to fight homelessness more effectively.

Today, I am proud to announce two new types of applications to support projects with innovative approaches and ideas to prevent and reduce homelessness.

The first type of call for proposals invites stakeholders to submit funding applications for large-scale projects aimed at testing interventions and new practices in order to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. This call for proposals will be open until November 14.

The Government of Canada is prepared to invest between $25,000 and $500,000 in funding for these large-scale projects.

The second call for proposals invites stakeholders to submit funding applications to develop or test innovative initiatives, tools or practices on a smaller scale.

These experimental projects will be eligible for up to $25,000 in federal funding, and will focus on developing innovative prototypes or projects that will prevent and reduce homelessness. This call for proposals will close on October 21.

In both cases, funding can be used to support activities in four key areas:

• gathering data;
• intervention with specific populations;
• trategic partnerships; and
• improving socio-economic conditions—meaning projects that improve employment and related outcomes for clients who are or were homeless.

Details on the application process can be found on the Employment and Social Development Canada website.

Projects under this initiative are part of our comprehensive approach to social programs.

Our actions go far beyond simply providing cheques or shelters. We are working to find real solutions—innovative solutions—to our homelessness challenges. 

We are firmly committed to a social innovation program that aims to improve quality of life for all Canadians and put in place the conditions necessary for them to reach their full potential.

We are building a country that stands out socially, economically and environmentally. We are moving forward in a thoughtful and pragmatic way.

I am proud of our collective work to combat homelessness. Let us work together towards giving Canadians the support they need and deserve.

I invite you to submit your applications today by visiting Canada.ca.

Thank you.