WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, April 26, 2010— Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada, 34 organizations across the city of Winnipeg will be able to deliver supports and services to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless so that they can build a stronger future for themselves.
Today, funding for 34 projects valued at over $10 million was announced by the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Provencher, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, along with the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development for Manitoba and Councillor Mike Pagtakhan, Point Douglas Ward. The projects are being funded under the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
“In partnership with provincial and municipal government, our government is investing in several Winnipeg organizations which help vulnerable residents with housing needs,” said Minister Toews. “This is another step in our continued support for Canadians trying to break free from the cycle of poverty and homelessness.”
“This investment will ensure people in need can access adequate housing and other key services,” said Minister Ross. “This investment is a part of HOMEWorks!, a $327-million, two‑year investment plan of the provincial and federal governments, and is a part of Manitoba’s long-term housing strategy to support initiatives that strengthen families and provide people in need with a safe and secure place to live.”
“Through our partnership with the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative, the City of Winnipeg has assisted numerous citizens to access affordable housing and opportunities to provide homes for themselves and their families,” said Councillor Pagtakhan. “I want to thank the Government of Canada for their generous contribution that will help to alleviate poverty and homelessness for so many at-risk citizens.”
The announcement took place at Main Street Project, which is one of the 34 projects receiving funding from the Government of Canada. The organization is receiving $263,524 in funding to extend the Opportunities Ahead project duration from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2011. With this funding, Main Street Project will continue to provide assessments and specialized supports and services to approximately 750 individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless over a three-year period.
"Homelessness costs a community, not only in terms of the human quality of its landscape, but also real dollars for emergency services like policing and ambulance," said Brian Bechtel, Executive Director for Main Street Project. "This funding not only provides better services to our clients, but it also helps us explore better ways to improve the lives of some of our most lost and forgotten people."
These investments are part of the Government of Canada’s $1.9-billion commitment for housing and homelessness announced in 2008. This ongoing funding will ensure that the Government can continue to assist low‑income Canadians, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan is building on these investments by making an additional one‑time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, and by making available up to $2 billion in loans to Canadian municipalities over two years for housing‑related infrastructure improvements. The Government’s investments are creating jobs, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for many Canadians. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
The availability of safe and stable housing and related supports is an important element in addressing homelessness and helping individuals who are homeless achieve greater self‑sufficiency and a better quality of life. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy emphasizes longer‑term supportive and transitional housing by focusing on a housing‑first approach to help people make the transition out of the cycle of homelessness.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.
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For further information, please contact:
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Joe Czech
Manitoba Housing
Communication Services Manitoba
204-945-6778
joe.czech@gov.mb.ca
Kimberlee Jones
Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
403-515-3048
kjones@cmhc.ca
Michelle Bailey
City of Winnipeg Communications
204-986-7120
mbailey@winnipeg.ca
Examples of funded projects:
Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.
The Government of Canada’s HPS funding was increased by $501,426, over the original $225,791, resulting in total project funding of $727,217 over a three-year period ending March 31, 2011. With this funding, the organization will be able to continue to operate the Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre, which provides orientation and support to Aboriginal youth at risk of homelessness. Individuals in need will also have access to a drop-in centre (open 7 days a week, 8 hours a day) and an outreach program.
Westminster Housing Society Inc.
The Government of Canada’s HPS funding of $641,575 will be used towards the construction of a new four-unit transitional housing facility for individuals with mental health issues at risk of homelessness. Support services will be provided by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
Other projects:
Funding Information
Homelessness Partnering Strategy:
The Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community‑based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 communities across Canada. The HPS took effect April 1, 2007, with annual funding of $134.8 million for two years, and was extended in 2008 for a further two years until March 31, 2011.
The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless achieve self-sufficiency and full participation in society. This model seeks to address homelessness by working in partnership with the provinces and territories, other federal departments, as well as with communities and the private and non-profit sectors.
By working with all our partners, we will maximize results to make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable Canadians. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy provides the support that our community partners are seeking.
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy uses a housing-first approach, recognizing that the first step is to provide individuals with transitional and supportive housing.
The HPS has seven funding streams:
Regionally Delivered:
- Designated Communities
- Outreach Communities
- Aboriginal Communities
Nationally Delivered:
- Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects
- Homelessness Knowledge Development
- Homeless Individuals and Families Information System
- Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the seven funding streams, please visit the following Web site: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.
Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative:
The Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. The partners work together to provide funding for affordable housing, to address homelessness, and to assist in the revitalization of Winnipeg’s older neighbourhoods by providing rehabilitation and repair loans. The WHHI is a single-window office for community organizations and service providers to apply for housing and homelessness funding and to access information on government-funded housing and homelessness programs. For more information, visit www.whhi.ca.
Canada-wide Program Extensions:
In September 2008, the Government of Canada announced a $1.9-billion commitment for housing and homelessness, which extended the Affordable Housing Initiative and the renovation programs for low-income households for five years. In Manitoba, these initiatives are jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments through contributions totalling over $34 million for the next two years.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan:
The Government of Canada has allocated $79 million in Manitoba under Canada’s Economic Action Plan as part of a two-year national investment of more than $2 billion to build new and renovate existing social housing in Canada. The Province will also contribute $79 million for these initiatives over the next two years. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1 800 O-Canada.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation:
To find out more about how the Government of Canada is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, contact the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation at 1‑800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
HOMEWorks!:
Through Manitoba’s long-term housing strategy HOMEWorks!, the province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada are contributing $327 million over two years as part of a long-term strategy to create stronger communities through housing solutions in Winnipeg and across the province. Manitoba is contributing $227 million and the federal contribution is close to $100 million. More information about the strategy is available at www.manitoba.ca/housing.
Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation:
Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (WHRC) was founded by the City of Winnipeg in the late 1970s. WHRC is a non-profit organization that develops and manages affordable housing in Winnipeg. During the last three decades, WHRC has developed over 700 housing units for Winnipeg residents. The organization’s housing projects include renovated warehouses, apartment buildings, single family homes, duplexes and triplexes. WHRC’s focus has been on the revitalization of Winnipeg’s inner-city neighbourhoods. For more information about WHRC and its programs, please visit www.whrc.ca or call 204-949-2880.
