May 14, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO – Approval for the Region of Halton’s Community Plan on Homelessness was announced today by Members of Parliament Paddy Torsney, Bonnie Brown and Julian Reed, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. Under the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), community groups will have access to $1,005,500 to assist in their efforts to address homelessness.

“We would like to congratulate the community groups, non-profit organizations, the private sector and all levels of government for their hard work and commitment in developing a comprehensive plan of action for the community. The signing of the Community Plan demonstrates how the Region of Halton is working together to find local solutions to alleviate homelessness,” declared the Members of Parliament in a joint statement. “This is wonderful news for Halton, as approximately 1300 people become homeless in Halton each year,” said Regional Chairman Joyce Savoline. “The Community Plan is a “made in Halton” solution, driven by the guiding principle that people in Halton should be able to live in their own community. We are very grateful to the Government of Canada for their valued partnership and generous support in helping us address the issue of homelessness in Halton.”

Through a series of consultative public forums, the Region of Halton has established a list of priorities to be addressed through this community plan. These include transitional and supportive housing, co-ordination of support services, and community awareness.

The Community Plan is the community’s vision of how best to help the homeless people. The Plan is a product of a consultative process involving all stakeholders interested in addressing homelessness in a particular community. The community identifies assets, gaps and priorities that meet local requirements to both prevent and reduce homelessness. Once the Plan is finalized, the community invites local organizations to submit funding applications through a Request for Proposal process. Individual projects are then selected to receive funding based on their ability to meet the priorities outlined in the Community Plan.

“This funding furthers the Government of Canada’s commitment to continue working together with community groups, the private sector and all levels of government to find local solutions to address homelessness,” stated Minister Bradshaw.

The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to prevent or alleviate homelessness. Over $1 billion is being spent toward the federal government's commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada. Since the launch, the Initiative has supported 628 projects with a total of $124.8 million to alleviate homelessness in Ontario. Funding is provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.

Since December 1999, communities across Canada have undertaken over 1,800 projects, funded wholly or in part by the NHI. These projects will result in: The addition of approximately 8,000 permanent beds in shelters, and transitional and supportive housing. The construction, renovation and improvement of over 1,000 facilities such as shelters, food banks, soup kitchens and drop-in centres. The transfer of 50 properties, worth $9.2 million and approved under the NHI’s Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative, to establish 214 transitional affordable housing units. In addition to Government of Canada investments, the partnerships have leveraged substantial resources, valued at more than a half billion dollars, for the implementation of homelessness projects in Canada.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative, visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca

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