KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, APRIL 11, 2008 - Families and individuals in Kelowna 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. Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $81,000 in funding for the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society 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. Cannan. "We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local problems. With this investment, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society will be able to implement initiatives that will help people right here in Kelowna."
The funding will assist the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society in operating an outreach project to place 75 homeless clients into emergency, transitional, supportive or independent housing in Kelowna. The society will hire an outreach community worker, help clients to find housing, and provide a broad range of support services to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. As a result, more homeless individuals will be able to find and maintain housing in Kelowna.
"Providing outreach services is a key component of reducing homelessness for the urban Aboriginal population in Kelowna," said Ms. Edna Terbasket, Executive Director, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society. "The funding we are receiving will help us find suitable housing for people on the street and in emergency shelters, and to support them in maintaining that housing. Our outreach worker will also work collaboratively with other agencies and government to address issues like health, addictions, nutrition, and unemployment in the community."
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 funding 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 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. Cannan.
The link between homelessness and mental illness is well established. In 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the first-ever Mental Health Commission of Canada, and in Budget 2008, the Government 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 alternative formats upon request.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit http://www.homelessness.gc.ca/home/index_e.asp.
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 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.
