About HRSDC | Our Offices | Programs & Services | A-Z Index March 14, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WINDSOR, ONTARIO - The Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, today announced funding of $290,940 for the Housing Information Services of Windsor Essex County to purchase and renovate a transitional housing and emergency shelter unit. This funding is being provided under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative (NHI). "No family should ever be without a home," said Minister Fontana. "This project will provide up to 70 families with the support they need to move towards long-term permanent and stable housing. The Government of Canada is committed to working with communities to alleviate homelessness everywhere." Under the project, Housing Information Services of Windsor Essex County will purchase and renovate a four-unit transitional house. Over the course of one year, one unit will be used as an emergency shelter, which will help nearly 60 families, while the other three units will be used as transitional housing for 10 families. This funding will also be used to hire a project coordinator and a maintenance worker, and will support the construction costs. Support services to ensure that all families move towards long-term permanent and stable housing will also be available. By working in partnership with community organizations, the private and voluntary sectors and other levels of government, the NHI is bringing all stakeholders together to develop local solutions that work to address particular needs and challenges faced by homeless people. Through this coordinated approach, the following programs are available to support communities across Canada: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative, the Regional Homelessness Fund, the National Research Program, the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System, and the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness fund. The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Since the launch, the Government of Canada has contributed over $1.6 million to alleviate homelessness in the Windsor area. Funding was provided for in the 2005 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: Catherine Kaye Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (416) 954-7302 Peter Graham Minister Fontana's Office 613) 953-5646 Anna Angelidis Housing Information Services of Windsor Essex County (519) 254-2808, ext. 223
