Ottawa, Ontario, February 12, 2013 — A new research study will help to improve support services aimed at Canadian youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, announced 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 Youth and we are pleased to partner with the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute”, said Dr. Leitch. “Through partnerships like this one, we are helping to raise awareness of and prevent youth homelessness.”
“Our goal is to determine what really works to help youth with better housing and mental health outcomes. There is a menu of services available today but we need to better understand how to reduce access barriers to support services,” said Dr. Mario Cappelli, Director of Mental Health Research at the CHEO Research Institute. “We’re grateful to the federal government for fueling this initiative and for its drive to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable youth.”
“Building on YSB’s hands-on experience working with vulnerable youth and CHEO’s expertise, we’re going to make great strides to address youth homelessness and mental health across Canada,” said Joanne Lowe, Executive Director of the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa. “We’re thankful to HRSDC for bringing awareness to the unique needs of these young people.”
Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding of over $77,000 will be used by the CHEO Research Institute for its study on youth homelessness. The project will identify best practices for ending youth homelessness. Findings will be shared at the local level to enable communities to improve services and programs in order to better meet the needs of youth.
In September 2008, the Government of Canada committed to more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness over five years. As part of this commitment, the Government of Canada has renewed the HPS until March 2014.
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Homelessness Partnering Strategy
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 on 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. A renewal of the HPS extended that commitment to March 2014.
Since the launch of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) in April 2007, the Government has approved over $732 million for 2,232 projects that aim to prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada.
The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency and participate fully in society. This model seeks to address homelessness by working in partnership with the provinces and territories and other federal departments, as well as with communities and the private and not-for-profit sectors.
The availability of safe, 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 HPS provides the support that our community partners are seeking.
The HPS encourages a housing-first approach, recognizing that housing stability is an important first step in addressing homelessness. It is also necessary for the success of other interventions such as education and training, the development of life skills and the management of mental health issues.
For more information on the HPS and the seven funding streams, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.
