BRANTFORD, ONTARIO, March 7, 2007—The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, toured the Chatham Street Residence today in Brantford. This residence is being converted into furnished housing units for young homeless women. The project is being led by St. Leonard's Community Services.
By March 31, 2007, the Chatham Street Residence will provide five young homeless women with fully furnished units, each including a bed, desk, chairs, dining room table and appliances. The young residents will also benefit from security services that will be in place from late evening to early morning.
"We're very pleased to participate in a project such as the Chatham Street Residence, a residence that will go a long way towards helping youth to get out and stay out of the cycle of homelessness," said Minister Solberg. "Canada's new government is proud to work with community organizations to help young Canadians gain access to the supports they need to become independent."
"St. Leonard's Community Services is very pleased to have the opportunity to address the need in our community for second-stage transitional housing accommodating up to five formerly homeless young women. We thank the federal government for their financial assistance in preparing 144 Chatham Street in Brantford as a new home for our community's most vulnerable and marginalized youth," said Bill Sanderson, Executive Director of St-Leonard's Community Services.
The Government of Canada, under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), a component of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) contributed over $53,000 towards the project.
Canada's new government recently announced that the NHI, scheduled to end in March 2007, will be replaced, on April 1, 2007, by an improved strategy, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
The new Homelessness Partnering Strategy will provide $269.6 million over two years to help communities across Canada combat homelessness more effectively. The Strategy focuses on a housing-first approach to homelessness, recognizing that housing stability is essential to self-sufficiency and full participation in Canadian society. With its clear goals of improved partnerships, enhanced sustainability and tangible results, the new strategy will provide concrete, meaningful and lasting results for Canadians in need.
For more information, please visit www.homelessness.gc.ca and www.st-leonards.com.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For more information (media only):
Pema LhalungpaPress SecretaryOffice of Minister Solberg819-994-2482
Media Relations OfficeHuman Resources and Social Development Canada819-994-5559
Catherine KayeService Canada, Ontario Region416-954-7302
William SandersonSt-Leonard's Community Services519-759-8830
