OTTAWA, June 8, 2007 — A new emergency and transitional housing shelter will provide teens and young men with support services to help them become more self-reliant while at the same time assist them in making the transition to more stable accommodation.
Today, dignitaries from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the City of Ottawa, along with guests and clients of the Youth Services Bureau (YSB) and community supporters celebrated the official opening of the Young Men's Emergency and Transitional Housing residence in downtown Ottawa.
Attending the ceremony are Lynne Yelich, MP for Blackstrap and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development; the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier and Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services, on behalf of the Honourable Mary Anne Chambers, Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services; Diane Holmes, Ottawa Councillor for Somerset Ward, on behalf of Mayor Larry O'Brien; and the Board and staff of the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, including Brian Ford, President of the YSB.
The new facility was built with more than $4.1 million in federal homelessness funding.
The Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services is providing funding up to $450,000 for counselling and support services to address the complex needs of these at-risk youth. The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services is contributing annual funding of up to $288,000 toward the operation of shelter and transition beds. The City of Ottawa will provide $387,000 annually. Further funding for the shelter's ongoing operational costs is being provided by the United Way of Ottawa ($25,000).
"Canada's New Government is taking action to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada," said Lynne Yelich. "This support will assist young men to move toward independence and to become active participants in the community."
"This new residence for young men demonstrates Ontario's commitment to work with all levels of government to support youth in the Ottawa area," said Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. "We cannot overestimate the importance of making emergency and transitional shelter available for youth, especially to help young men who are homeless or in crisis."
"This much-needed facility will provide young men the opportunity to receive the assistance they require," noted Councillor Diane Holmes. "We are committed to ensuring that the number of homeless individuals and families is reduced in the City of Ottawa. We look forward to continuing to work together with our partners to bring these facilities and their enhanced programs and services to those in need."
"This completes the establishment of YSB's Continuum of Services for homeless young people in the City of Ottawa," said Brian Ford. "The Continuum includes young women and young men's emergency and transitional housing units, a long-term housing program, and a Youth Drop-in. We are very pleased to be able to offer this kind of support to our young people."
The residence will help young men aged 12 to 20 who are homeless and in need of emergency shelter. It will also provide crisis and short-term counselling, support programs, and referrals to relevant community resources. The residence is divided into three units: A 12-unit shelter, offering emergency short-term accommodation one-bedroom units; a 12-unit transition area, which allows youth to develop, for up to a one-year period, independent living skills in a safe and secure setting; and a 6-unit swing space, used as shelter overflow or transitional housing.
The facility opened its doors at the beginning of May 2007.
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy came into effect on April 1, 2007, and replaced the National Homelessness Initiative. The program is providing $270 million over two years to help communities across Canada combat homelessness more effectively. The Strategy focuses on a housing-first approach to end 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 on the federal government's Homelessness Partnering Strategy, visit www.homelessness.gc.ca.
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For further information please contact:
Janet Krayden
Assistant
Office of Parliamentary Secretary Lynne Yelich
613-995-5653
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Marc Despatie
Minister Meilleur's Office
416-325-5219
City of Ottawa
Corporate Communications
(613) 580-2450
Dan Paré
Executive Director
Youth Services Bureau
(613) 729-1000
Disponible en français
For more information visit
http://www.homelessness.gc.ca
http://www.ysb.on.ca
