A family in Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick will soon have a place to call home

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News Release

Government of Canada provides stable housing for a family in need.  

July 25, 2017              Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick             Employment and Social Development Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to providing families with a safe and affordable place to live in order to help them to get back on their feet.

Today, Thomas J. (TJ) Harvey, Member of the Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, announced on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, that a family from Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick at risk of becoming homeless will soon have an affordable place to call home.

The Government of Canada, through the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI), is providing Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area Inc. with a home that was previously used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as employee living quarters. The home was purchased by the organization for $1.

The property located in Florenceville-Bristol will undergo minor renovations before being transferred to the respective homeowners. The organization will complete all necessary renovations and environmental remediation within nine months from the date the properties are transferred. The organization will own and operate the houses during the monitoring period of 15 years.

SFRPHI, part of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, makes surplus federal real properties available to communities at low or no cost for projects that help provide stable and affordable housing for homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Quotes

“I am proud the Government of Canada is helping to prevent and reduce homelessness in the community of Florenceville-Bristol. Together, we are building strong communities by providing adequate and affordable housing that meet the needs of the most vulnerable Canadians.”
– Thomas J. (TJ) Harvey, Member of the Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac

“The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative provides communities with support to develop affordable housing in order to reduce homelessness. Thanks to this partnership with the community, not-for-profit sector and governments, we can lend a helping hand to families in need.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“Public Services and Procurement Canada is proud to be playing a role in reducing homelessness by repurposing surplus government properties to support affordable housing programs. Together, we are making it easier for hard-working Canadians to find safe and affordable places to call home and raise a family.”
– Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Quick Facts

  • Budget 2017 includes additional funding of $202 million over the next 11 years to make more surplus federal lands and buildings available for affordable housing under the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.

  • The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is one of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy’s national funding streams. To date, 156 properties have been transferred under Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.

  • The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing funding and direct support to 61 designated communities across Canada, as well as Indigenous and rural and remote communities.

  • Since the launch of the HPS, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefited from education and training opportunities; more than 6,000 new shelter beds have been created; and over 82,000 people have been placed in more stable housing.

  • Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area Inc. is the Local Affiliate of the Habitat for Humanity Canada. Their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Related Products

Associated Links

Contacts

Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter

Page details

Date modified: