REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, April 22, 2008 - Young women in Regina working to break free from the cycles of homelessness and poverty and to build a stronger future for themselves are getting help from the Government of Canada.
Mr. David Batters, Member of Parliament for Palliser, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today celebrated $436,848 in funding for the Street Culture Kidz' Door Open Community Success project, known as DOC's Home, 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. Batters. "We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local problems. Through this investment, the Street Culture Kidz' Door Open Community Success project will provide services that will help young women right here in Regina."
HPS funding will be used for the purchase, renovation and furnishing of a duplex-style house in order to create supportive housing units for homeless single women in Regina, who are between the ages of 15 and 24. Support services such as mentorship-based programming, help in addressing addiction issues, individualized action plans and valuable life skills will also be offered to these young women.
"It has been enjoyable and encouraging to work in partnership with team members at the provincial and federal levels, and in particular with officials at the Regina Service Canada Centre," said Street Culture Kidz Executive Director Kim Sutherland. "As we all recognize, safe, family-based housing is necessary for the healthy development of all youth. The federal government's collective belief in our long-term approach to engaging and supporting youth in need of service will go a long way in meeting these universal needs."
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. Batters.
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.
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):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
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 the provinces and territories. Once put in place, such partnerships would encourage better alignment of federal, provincial and territorial investments, and help to provide a seamless continuum of supports for homeless people.
The HPS has 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 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:
o Designated Communities
o Outreach Communities
o Aboriginal Communities
o 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.
