SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010—Thanks to support from the Government of Canada, women and children in need will benefit from increased space at an emergency shelter in the community of Saskatoon. Mr. Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon–Wanuskewin, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs, and is helping those seeking to break free from the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Mr. Vellacott. “As a result of this investment, Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. will be able to help a greater number of homeless women and women with children gain access to emergency shelter and support services to help them get back on their feet.”
Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. will receive $500,000 through the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy to renovate its emergency shelter facility. The work will include transforming unused space into 20 additional emergency shelter units for homeless women and women with children and 6 offices where support services will be offered.
“Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. is an organization that provides services to Saskatoon’s homeless population,” said Mr. Don Windels, Executive Director of Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. “Funding provided by the Government of Canada is being used to develop an emergency women’s shelter and office space for our clientele and staff. This type of housing bridges the gap from the streets to long-term safe and affordable housing. The shelter offers a safe and comfortable space for our clients, while the offices give the Lighthouse staff an opportunity through programming to begin the process of helping our clients off the streets and into more sustainable housing.”
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. The Government of Canada is investing over $1.9 billion over five years, until 2014, for housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan has built 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. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada
819-994-5559
The 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 not-for-profit sectors.
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 Government’s investments are creating jobs, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for many Canadians.
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 website: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness
