Regina, Saskatchewan, September 4, 2012 - The Government of Canada is seeking new partners to help tackle homelessness in Saskatchewan. The announcement was made today by Dr. Kellie Leitch, Parliamentary Secretary to 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 to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Dr. Leitch. “We are proud to support organizations that are committed to addressing housing and homelessness issues in their communities.”
The Government has launched a request for proposals to identify two organizations to administer HPS Rural and Remote Homelessness funding and Aboriginal Homelessness funding in Saskatchewan. The selected organizations will understand the communities they serve, and have the capacity to take on a leadership role in making funding decisions to address homelessness in Saskatchewan.
From April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, the chosen organizations will distribute over $1.6 million in the targeted funding to other organizations in Saskatchewan for the development of housing and support services. The application deadline is October 31, 2012.
Today’s announcement took place at the Food Banks of Saskatchewan, which is receiving $137,120 in funding through the Rural and Remote Homelessness funding stream to purchase a refrigerated truck to transport perishable foods to 18 community food banks.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy or on how to apply for funding, please contact the Homelessness Partnering Strategy representative in your region.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Alyson Queen
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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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 designated communities across Canada.
The HPS took effect April 1, 2007, with annual funding of $134.8 million for two years. In September 2008, the Government committed to investing more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness programs over five years, until March 2014. This includes a renewal of the HPS until March 2014.
The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness 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, communities and the private and not-for-profit sectors.
The HPS encourages a housing-first approach, which recognizes that housing stability is an important first step in addressing homelessness, and is necessary for the success of other interventions, such as education and training, life skills development or management of mental health issues.
Request for Proposals
From September 4, 2012, to October 31, 2012, the Government of Canada will be accepting proposals from organizations in Saskatchewan to identify two organizations that will to administer $774,660 in Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) Rural and Remote Homelessness funding and $872,155 in Aboriginal Homelessness funding, for the period of one year, between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.
Rural and Remote Homelessness
The Rural and Remote Homelessness funding stream primarily targets smaller, non-designated communities located in rural and outlying areas.
Aboriginal Homelessness
The Aboriginal Homelessness funding stream addresses the specific needs of the homeless Aboriginal population by supporting an integrated service delivery system that is culturally appropriate and community-driven.
The HPS partners with Aboriginal groups to ensure that services meet the unique needs of off-reserve homeless Aboriginal people in cities and rural areas. The unique needs of all First Nations, Inuit, Métis and non-status Indians are also considered.
For more information on the HPS and the seven funding streams, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.
