QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC, May 22, 2008-Youth in Québec City 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.
Ms. Sylvie Boucher, Member of Parliament for Beauport-Limoilou, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today celebrated almost $600,000 in funding for Gîte Jeunesse 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 Ms. Boucher. "We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local problems. Through this investment, Gîte Jeunesse will be able to implement services that help teens in need."
The announcement was made at Gîte Jeunesse, a Quebec shelter for young boys aged 12 to 17. The main objective of the project is to promote the creation of a continuum of adapted support services before, during and after sheltering to help prevent at risk youth from becoming homeless.
"The renewal of the Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI) makes it possible for us to consolidate and maintain some continuity in the activities and services offered at the Sainte Foy shelter and to maintain the services at the Beauport shelter," said Ms. Marie Gil Thibault, Director of Gîte Jeunesse. "This funding will help us to continue to provide activities and services, and make them available to a larger number of youth."
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.
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.
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 reach a better, more stable life," said Ms. Boucher.
The link between homelessness and mental illness is well established. In 2007, the Prime Minister of Canada announced the first-ever Mental Health Commission of Canada, 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 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
Media Relations Coordinator
Service Canada Communications
514-982-2384, ext. 2209
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.
