PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, March 26, 2008 - Families and individuals in Prince George working to break free from the cycles of homelessness and poverty and build a stronger future for themselves are getting help from the Government of Canada.
Mr. Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today provided details on funding for six projects worth over $742,000 in Prince George 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. Harris. "We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local problems."
The announcement took place at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. This organization received $93,015 in HPS funding to provide homeless people or those at risk of homelessness with transitional housing and support services, such as alcohol and drug addiction counselling.
"We are grateful to Service Canada and the Government of Canada for the funding that allows us to continue to help men who are committed to making a full recovery from their drug and alcohol addictions, and to starting new and productive lives," said Mr. Frank Siegrist, Director, Employment and Economic Initiatives, Prince George Native Friendship Centre.
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 Canada. 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 essential 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 tangible 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 are helping tens of thousands of Canadians achieve a better, more stable life," said Mr. Harris.
The link between homelessness and mental illness is well-established. In 2007, the Prime Minister of Canada announced the first-ever Canadian Mental Health Commission, 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.
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A detailed list of HPS-funded projects in Prince George is included in the attached backgrounder.
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 further information (media only):
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Backgrounder
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 direct 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 Accountability 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 approach 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 best 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 projects to prevent and reduce homelessness.
Fact Sheet
Homelessness Partnering Strategy Projects in Prince George, Since January 1, 2008
| Prince George |
Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association |
As the Aboriginal entity, the organization will administer and fund homelessness-related projects to organizations in Prince George for Aboriginal people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. |
360,996 |
| Kerry Pateman Planning Services |
Hire a consultant to provide coordination and administrative support to the Community Partners Addressing Homelessness in implementing the Prince George community plan. Funding will also be used towards the cost of materials and supplies. |
80,000 |
| Central Interior Native Health Society |
Hire an outreach worker who will connect homeless people and those at risk of homelessness with health care services. |
88,145 |
| Association Advocating for Women and Children (AWAC) |
Hire a Housing Coordinator and two part-time Housing Support workers to provide support for vulnerable women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in AWAC's transitional housing facility. |
60,000 |
| Prince George Native Friendship Centre |
To provide homeless people or those at risk of homelessness with transitional housing and support services, such as alcohol and drug addiction counselling. |
93,015 |
| Active Support Against Poverty Housing Society |
Hire a Tenant Support Worker (TSW) to help tenants maintain housing. The TSW will also refer homeless people or individuals at risk of homelessness to outside services. |
59,900 |
| Province Total - Number of Projects |
|
Province Total:
742,056 |
