REGINA, January 20, 2005; -- The Government of Canada is investing over $3.2 million to support 25 projects to prevent and alleviate homelessness in eight Saskatchewan communities.The Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing today announced National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) funding for projects in Saskatchewan's three designated cities, Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert. Investments for today's projects through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative and Urban Aboriginal Homelessness components of the NHI in these three communities address the priorities identified by the community through local community plans to address homelessness. As well, there are many non-designated communities experiencing significant needs relating to community members who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Today's announcement also includes funding for projects in five non-designated communities: Île à la Crosse, La Loche, Lac La Ronge, Melfort and Moose Jaw."The Government of Canada believes that shelter is the foundation upon which healthy communities and individual dignity are built," said Minister Fontana. "Today's projects are a good example of communities working together to find local solutions to address the unique needs of people who are homeless, or who are at risk of becoming homeless.""The province of Saskatchewan welcomes this support for our community partners," said Crofford. "Our government works actively with many of these organizations to support people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless so that Saskatchewan people, regardless of differences in needs or circumstances have the opportunity to contribute and be included in the economic and social life of the province."Funding from today's announcement is being provided for the following projects. For more detailed information on these projects, please see the attached backgrounder.Île à la Crosse Seeking Shelter: Homelessness and Housing Plan – Project Sponsor: Village of Île à la Crosse $32,800La Loche Dene Empowerment Housing Project – Project Sponsor: Methy Construction & Maintenance Corporation $1,348,928Lac La Ronge Supportive Services Feasibility Study – Project Sponsor: NorthSask Special Needs Housing, Employment Recreation Partnership) $39,150Melfort Melfort Community Plan: Homelessness and Support Services – Project Sponsor: City of Melfort $33,264Moose Jaw Mental Health Housing – Project Sponsor: Moose Jaw Non Profit Housing Corporation $541,725 Transitional Youth Shelter – Project Sponsor: Connecting as Neighbours Cooperative Ltd. $13,275Regina Regina Safe House Project – Project Sponsor: Oyate Ataya Wakanyeka Owicakiyapi Inc. $450,000 Accessible Housing for Persons with Disabilities – Project Sponsor: South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre Inc. $125,780 WISH Shelter Enhancement Project – Project Sponsor: Wichihik Iskwewak Safehouse Incorporated $85,000 Housing Feasibility Study FASD – Project Sponsor: Community Health Services Assoc. (Regina) Ltd. $46,000 Brief Detox. and Homelessness Shelter – Project Sponsor: Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region $45,000 Red Ribbon Place – Project Sponsor: All Nations Hope AIDS Network Incorporated $28,185 Phase 1 Feasibility and Assessment Study – Project Sponsor: Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services $26,500 Family Residential Treatment Program – Project Sponsor: Ranch Ehrlo Society $14,138Prince Albert Kids First Family Wellness Centre – Project Sponsor: Saskatchewan Rivers School Division #119 $32,140 Manville Bay Feasibility Study – Project Sponsor: River Bank Development Corporation $17,000Saskatoon Transitional Housing Pilot – Project Sponsor: Saskatoon Housing Coalition, Inc. $128,762 Feasibility Study and Capacity Building: Supports for Adults with FASD – Project Sponsor: Saskatchewan Fetal Alcohol Support Network $58,580 211 for All Saskatchewan: Feasibility and a Plan – Project Sponsor: United Way of Saskatoon $40,000 Van Replacement Project – Project Sponsor: Saskatoon Friendship Inn: $32,091 YWCA of Saskatoon Capacity Building Project – Project Sponsor: YWCA of Saskatoon $30,000 YWCA Shelter Renovations – Project Sponsor: YWCA of Saskatoon $28,288 Prevention Of Violence And Abuse – Project Sponsor: Crocus Co-Operative $11,000 An Examination of Hidden Homelessness Among First Nations, Métis and Inuit People in Prairie Cities – Project Sponsor: Institute of Urban Studies, University of Winnipeg $9,600 Salvation Army of Saskatoon Capacity Building Project – Project Sponsor: The Salvation Army of Saskatoon $3,000Since the Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness, over $17.2 million has been invested through more than 100 projects to address homelessness in Saskatchewan. Between 1999 and 2006, the Government of Canada will have allocated $1.15 billion on its commitment to address homelessness across Canada. Funding for the NHI was provided for in the last federal Budget.For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative, visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.caFor more information, contact:Government of Canada: Peter GrahamDirector of CommunicationsMinister Fontana's Office(819) 953-5646
