BRANDON, MANITOBA, March 28, 2008 - Families and individuals in Brandon 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. Mervin Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $81,584 in funding for the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC ) 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. Tweed. "We are proud to support community efforts that hel p find local solutions to local problems. By making this investment, the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation will be able to implement initiatives that will help people right here in Brandon."
The funding will allow the Brandon Neighbourhoo d Renewal Corporation to hire a Homelessness Coordinator to work with and provide training to other community organizations to increase support services to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
"We're excited about the new part nerships and services that will result from working closely with the organizations and the Brandon Homelessness Coordinator," said Mr. Marty Snelling, General Manager, BNRC. "This will enhance the ability of the service providers to best meet the needs o f homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless. The Brandon Homelessness Strategy includes increased emergency housing, transitional housing, coordinating food, clothing and health services to individuals and families in need and taking prevent ative steps to eliminate street poverty."
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 toda y 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 p articipation 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 wil l 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 reach a better, more stable life," said Mr. Tweed.
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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This news release is available in alter native 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
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) began on April 1, 2007. The Stra tegy 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 commu nities 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 invest ments, 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 homeles sness.
