GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA, March 27, 2008 - Families and individuals in Grande Prairie working to break free from the cycles of homelessness and poverty and build a stronger future for themselves are getting help from the Governmen nt of Canada.
Mr. Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today celebrated two projects in Grande Prairie that received funding worth a lmost $545,000 under the Government's Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).
"Our government is delivering on its commitment to help those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless," said Mr. Warkentin. "We are proud to support communit y efforts that help find local solutions to local problems. By making this investment, the City of Grande Prairie will be able to implement two projects that will help to address the community's needs and priorities in combatting homelessness."
T he event was hosted by the City of Grande Prairie, at City Hall.
"The City of Grande Prairie has been very pleased with the partnership with the federal government. The federal funds have been valuable in supporting projects designed to ease the situation of the homeless in our community," said Mayor Dwight Logan. "I want to offer my sincerest thanks and appreciation to our Member of Parliament, Mr. Chris Warkentin, for his able assistance. More work is needed on this problem, and I feel we ar e best able to handle the homeless situations with such partnerships as this."
The first project, Designated Communities, is valued at more than $340,000 and will support ongoing efforts to combat homelessness. The second initiative, Aboriginal C ommunities, is valued at more than $204,000 and is aimed at assisting Aboriginal individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in the area. Funds from these two projects have assisted with the operation of the SOS Van for the Grande Prairi e Friendship Centre, the updating and printing of the Street Survival Guide for the Family and Community Support Services, the publication of the Second Story newsletter, which is in the newspaper today, the hiring of a Youth Outreach coordinator and coun sellor at Sunrise House, and the continued support of the homeSHARE program.
On February 22, 2008, Minister Solberg announced that 505 projects totalling almost $150 million had been approved under the HPS to prevent and reduce homelessness in Can ada. The announcement made today is part of this total funding.
The HPS is providing $269.6 million over two years to help communities across Canada combat homelessness more effectively. The Strategy recognizes that housing stability is essentia l to self-sufficiency and full participation in Canadian society. It focuses on transitional and supportive housing as important measures to help people overcome homelessness. With its clear goals of improved partnerships, enhanced sustainability and ta ngible results, the Strategy will provide concrete, meaningful and lasting results for Canadians in need.
"Our government is investing more in affordable and supportive housing than any federal government in Canada's history, and as a result we ar e helping tens of thousands of Canadians reach a better, more stable life," said Mr. Warkentin.
The link between homelessness and mental illness is well established. In 2007, the Prime Minister of Canada announced the first-ever Mental Health Com mission of Canada, and in Budget 2008, we committed $110 million for the Commission to develop new innovative demonstration projects that will help Canadians facing mental health and homelessness challenges.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.homelessness.gc.ca .
For f urther information (media only):
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) began on April 1, 2007. The Strategy is providing $269.6 million over two years to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. The HPS is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness in Canada by providing funding and di rect support to more than 60 communities across Canada.
Under the HPS, the Government of Canada is offering to work in partnership with all provinces and territories. Once put in place, such partnerships would encourage better alignment of federal and provincial/territorial investments, and help to provide a seamless continuum of supports for homeless people.
The HPS has three main initiatives: the Homelessness Partnership Initiative, the Homelessness Accountabili ty Network and the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.
The Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI) is the cornerstone of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Its housing-first a pproach recognizes that the first step is to provide individuals with transitional and supportive housing.
The HPI has four funding components:
- Designated Communities
- Outreach Communities
- Aboriginal Communities
- Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects
The Homelessness Accountability Network helps to strengthen program accountability. It also develops knowledge and encourages organizations to reinforce their networks and share b est practices.
The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative makes surplus federal property as well as land available to community organizations, the not-for-profit sector, and other levels of government, for proj ects to prevent and reduce homelessness.
