Over $1.5 million announced to address homelessness and housing in Saskatchewan
Over $1.5 million announced to address homelessness and housing in Saskatchewan
April 27, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — The Government of Canada is investing over $1.5 million to support nine projects, under the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), to prevent and alleviate homelessness in Saskatchewan's two largest cities. The Government of Canada is also investing $225,000 under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement to support a community housing initiative in Prince Albert.
Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance made the announcement today, on behalf of Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. Investments for the nine NHI projects are provided through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative and Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Fund. They address the priorities identified through local community plans to address homelessness in Regina and Saskatoon.
The housing project in Prince Albert is funded federally by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Province of Saskatchewan through the Centenary Affordable Housing Program.
"Saskatchewan people have a history of cooperating to address local needs," said Minister Goodale. "It's wonderful to see so many groups, including private sector businesses, Aboriginal organizations, community entities, and all levels of government come together to help some of our most vulnerable citizens. Together, we're making a difference."
"Projects such as Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre and the Prince Albert Community Housing Project support our government's HomeFirst Strategy by providing safe, stable, and affordable housing for all Saskatchewan people," said Joanne Crofford, Minister of Community Resources and Employment. "These projects move us one more step closer to achieving our goal of developing 2,000 affordable housing units through the Centenary Affordable Housing Program by 2008."
For more information about these projects, please consult the attached background information.
Since the Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness, over $19.4 million has been invested through more than 100 projects to address homelessness in Saskatchewan. Between 1999 and 2006, the Government of Canada will have allocated $1.5 billion on its commitment to address homelessness across Canada. Funding for the NHI was provided for in the 2005 federal Budget.
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For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative, visit our Web site.
For more information, contact:
Government of Canada:
John Embury
Minister Goodale's Office
1 613 996-7861
Province of Saskatchewan:
Kevin Wishlow
Senior Communications Consultant
Communications and Public Education
Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment
1 306 787-8689
Jason Cobb
Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
1 403 515-2903
Backgrounder: National Homelessness Initiative
Saskatoon
Cress Housing Corporation: Cress Transitional Supported Housing — $745,000
Cress Housing will establish a transitional housing facility to provide safe, secure and supported accommodation for homeless Aboriginal families and individuals in Saskatoon. This project will enable the purchase, renovation and furnishing of a 12–14 suite apartment building. Residents of this transitional facility will also receive a variety of supports including case management, program referrals, and linkages to community agencies.
Contributors:
Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Component of the National Homelessness Initiative – $745,000;
Northern Lights Community Development Corporation – $100,000; and
Cress Housing and Saskatoon Tribal Council – $59,600 in-kind.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Barry Downs
General Manger
Phone: 1 306 244-7747
Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre (EGADZ): My Home Too — $432,953
This project will build on the successful "My Home" project, and will create a new facility for homeless young women who are in need of support in exiting their negative street lifestyles within the community of Saskatoon. "My Home Too" will be better able to meet the changing needs of these young women who are in transition, by providing security and supports that lead to self-sufficiency.
Contributors:
Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative component of the National Homelessness Initiative – $432,953;
Private sector contributions (donated goods and services) – more than $55,000 from All Pro Excavating, Saskatoon Truck, Northridge Development Corporation, Uncle Ed's Furniture, Michelle Leclaire-Harding, Canadian Tire, Home Depot; and
Department of Community Resources and Employment, Government of Saskatchewan – $24,055.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Bill Thibodeau
Executive Director
Phone: 1 306 931-6644
La Maison Mamawe-Atosketak Inc.: La Maison Mamawe-Atosketak Métis Transitional Housing — $200,000
La Maison Mamawe-Atosketak will purchase and renovate two apartment buildings in Saskatoon, providing 24 beds to address the growing crisis among homeless Métis people in the city. The Family Healing Circle Lodge and Métis Elders will provide transitional assistance and counselling.
Contributors:
Urban Aboriginal Homelessness component of the National Homelessness Initiative – $200,000;
La Maison Mamawe-Atosketak (mortgage) – $180,000;
SaskNative Rentals Inc. – $145,000
Camponi Housing Inc. – $140,000
For more information on this project, please contact:
Jim Durocher
Chief Executive Officer, SaskNative Rentals Inc.
Phone: 1 306 653-0384
Voyageur Club of Saskatoon: Capri Place Enhancements — $39,500
This project will increase the safety and security, as well as enhance the provision of support services for the residents of Capri Place, a 64 unit transitional housing facility. The funding will be used to install a security system and provide training to Capri Place staff regarding safety and dealing with client issues. Funding for this project is provided by the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative component of the National Homelessness Initiative.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Don Windels
Executive Director
Phone: 1 306 653-8276
Regina
Regina Rescue Mission: Shelter Drop-In Centre Upgrade — $46,103
Funding from the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative component of the National Homelessness Initiative will be used to strengthen Regina Rescue Mission's capacity to provide homeless men with safe and secure housing options. The funding will be used to purchase capital items to improve the emergency shelter facility.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Ken Porter
Executive Director
Phone: 1 306 543-0011
Regina Early Learning Centre Inc: Satellite Office Project — 34,485
Funding from the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative component of the National Homelessness Initiative will be used to increase the Regina Early Learning Centre's capacity to deliver programs and services to vulnerable families in the community who face many challenges, including homelessness. This project will create a satellite office that will house the KidsFirst Home Visitor Program.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Anne Luke
Executive Director
Phone: 1 306 757-3744
Aboriginal Family Services: Capacity Building — $20,800
Funding from the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness component of the National Homelessness Initiative will be used to determine the feasibility of purchasing a building that can enhance Aboriginal Family Services' (AFS) programs and services. In addition, through a partnership with Gabriel Housing Corporation, AFS will prepare a feasibility study and business plan for the operation of a transitional housing unit with support services for Aboriginal youth from the same location. Currently, this organization provides support services to vulnerable Aboriginal youth and families from two separate facilities.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Delora Parisian
Executive Director
Phone: 1 306 525-4161
The Salvation Army – Grace Haven: Pre-Development Project — $24,650
Funding from the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative component of the National Homelessness Initiative will be used to explore the feasibility of building a new facility where Grace Haven and Gemma House can co-locate and possibly expand to better deliver their programs and services to homeless people in Regina.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Major Cheryl Davis
Executive Director
Phone: 1 306 352-1421
The Salvation Army – Waterston Centre: Network Server for the Shelter — $19,904
Funding from the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative component of the National Homelessness Initiative will be used to build the capacity of The Salvation Army to gather and share information on the homelessness population served in Regina. This project will enhance The Salvation Army's capacity to track and use client information, thus increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Waterston Centre men's shelter.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Major Wayne McDonough
Executive Director
Phone: 1 306 569-6088
Backgrounder: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) Project
Prince Albert
P.A. Community Housing — $225,000
The funding, under the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP), will be used to provide 11 units of affordable rental housing to lower-income families. CAHP is funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement. It provides $33 million in federal funding for affordable housing, matched by Saskatchewan, municipalities and, other parties. With these matching contributions, a total of $66 million will be allocated by 2007–08 for affordable housing.
For more information on this project, please contact:
Jason Cobb
Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Phone: 1 403 515-2903
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