About HRSDC | Our Offices | Programs & Services | A-Z Index March 17, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA - The Honourable Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney - Victoria, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, today announced funding of $54,903 under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI). The funds will be used to renovate the Cape Breton Community Housing Association's current shelter building, ensuring the continuation of services to residents and participants in the Association's outreach program. "This project supports Cape Breton residents who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, by providing a stable, safe and healthy place to call home" said Mr. Eyking. "This is crucial because shelter is the foundation upon which individual dignity and healthy communities are built." Established in 1977, the Cape Breton Community Housing Association is a non-profit organization directed by a volunteer board of directors. The Association assumed responsibility for operation of the homeless shelter in 2004. Project funds will be used for internal and external renovations of the current building, to alleviate potential health and safety concerns. The Government of Canada's NHI was launched in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Since the launch, the NHI has contributed over $14 million to alleviate homelessness in Nova Scotia. Funding was provided for in the last federal Budget. - 30 - Since December 1999, communities across Canada have undertaken over 2,800 projects, funded wholly or in part by the National Homelessness Initiative. These projects will result in: The creation of over 10,000 new, permanent beds in shelters, transitional, and supportive houses; The construction or renovation of roughly 1,100 sheltering and support facilities, such as soup kitchens and drop-in centres; The transfer of 50 federal surplus properties worth over $9 million, which will result in the creation of 268 transitional and affordable housing units; and In addition to the Government of Canada investment, partnerships have leveraged almost one billion dollars towards the implementation of homelessness projects in Canada. For more information on the Government of Canada's NHI, visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca For more information, contact: Bruce Reardon Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (902) 564-7220 Peter Graham Minister Fontana's Office 613) 953-5646
