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January 7, 2005
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALGARY, ALBERTA — The Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, visited Calgary today and took the opportunity to announce the approval of funding for nine homelessness-related projects in Calgary. The over $3.2 million contribution is provided for through the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), and is part of the commitment to strengthen social foundations, as laid out in the Speech from the Throne.
“The Government of Canada believes that shelter is the foundation upon which healthy communities and individual dignity are built,” stated Minister Fontana. “We are pleased to work in close partnership with groups and other levels of government who support homeless people, and those at risk of becoming homeless. It is the efforts of these organizations that strengthen our communities, and together we are helping to address needs and help some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
The nine organizations receiving NHI funding are as follows:
| Trinity Place Foundation of Alberta – Manchester Place | $374,818 |
| John Howard Society – Radio House and Homeless Youth Study | $143,456 |
| Calgary Urban Project Society – Clients in Transition Program | $259,972 |
| Métis Calgary Family Services Society – Rainbow Lodge | $1,877,400 |
| McMan Youth, Family and Community Services – Hope Homes Program | $60,000 |
| NeighbourLink of Calgary North West and Beltline | $124,230 |
| The Canadian Red Cross | $102,668 |
| Youville Residence Society of Alberta – Elderberry House/Women’s Residence | $299,000 |
| Aspen Family & Community Network – Building Community Coalitions for Action | $20,000 |
| Total | $3,261,544 |
In many cases, these organizations are receiving key funding support from other partners, such as the private sector, community organizations and other levels of government.
Since the Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness, more than $87 million has been committed to 261 projects in Alberta alone. Between 1999 and 2006, the Government of Canada will have allocated $1.15 billion on its commitment to address homelessness across Canada. Funding for the NHI was provided for in the last federal Budget.
For more information on the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative, please visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca
For more information contact:
Peter Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Labour and Housing
(819) 953-5646