FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC, March 14, 2008 – The Government of Canada is helping individuals and families in Quebec who are trying to break free from homelessness and poverty, and to build a better future for themselves.
The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $24.7 million in funding for 214 projects in Quebec under the federal 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 Minister Verner. "We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local problems. Working together, we can help our most vulnerable citizens find a place to call home as well as find the supports they need to become more self-sufficient."
The announcement took place during a visit to the Mères et Monde Centre, which receives funding under the Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI), the cornerstone of the HPS. Mères et Monde is dedicated to improving the living conditions for young mothers who are between the ages of 16 and 30, and for their families.
"With this funding, we will be able to continue our mission of providing resources and means for young mothers to overcome their isolation, avoid burnout, and become self sufficient in order to enhance their social integration and their educational and career development," said Ms. Johanne Beauvilliers, the Coordinator at Mères et Monde.
On February 22, 2008, Minister Solberg announced that 505 projects totalling over $149.7 million had been approved under the HPS since April 1, 2007, to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. The funding for the projects announced today is part of that total figure.
The HPS is providing $269.6 million over two years to help communities across Canada combat homelessness more effectively. The Strategy 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 will invest more in affordable and supportive housing this year than any other federal government in Canada's history. We are currently spending more that $2.7 billion annually," stated Minister Verner.
In Budget 2008, the Government committed to help those who need the care and support of their fellow Canadians by providing $110 million to the Mental Health Commission of Canada to support innovative projects to develop best practices that we will use to help Canadians who live with mental health and homelessness challenges.
In January 2008, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed a collaborative agreement with regard to the designated community and outreach community components of the HPI. This agreement takes into account the ways in which the HPI complements the Government of Quebec's programs and policies to address homelessness.
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The attached backgrounder includes examples of projects that have received funding under the HPI in Quebec.
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):
Pascal Doucet
Coordinator, Media Relations
Communications, Service Canada
514 982 2384, extension 2209
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) came into force on April 1, 2007. The HPS 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 the country.
Under the HPS, the Government of Canada is offering to work in partnership with all the provinces and territories. Once put in place, such partnerships would encourage better alignment of federal, provincial and territorial investments, and would help provide a seamless continuum of support for homeless people.
The HPS has the following three main initiatives: the Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI), the Homelessness Accountability Network and the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.
The Homelessness Partnership Initiative is the cornerstone of the HPS. Its approach, which makes housing a priority, recognizes that the first step is to provide individuals with transitional and supportive housing.
The HPI is comprised of the following four funding components:
- Designated Communities;
- Outreach Communities;
- Aboriginal Communities; and
- Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects.
The Homelessness Accountability Network helps strengthen program accountability. It also enables organizations to acquire knowledge, strengthen their networks and share best practices.
The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative makes surplus federal property and land available to community organizations, the not for profit sector and other levels of government for projects that help to prevent and reduce homelessness.
