Canada  
News release

April 14, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto Community Plan Approved – Homeless and those at-risk to benefit

Toronto, Ontario – Approval of the City of Toronto's Community Plan on Homelessness was announced today by Minister Joe Volpe, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness and Councillor Joe Mihevc, Ward 21 St. Paul's, on behalf of Mayor David Miller. Funding of over $53 million will be provided to Toronto through the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) to help the city's homeless.

“I would like to recognize the achievements of the community groups, non-profit organizations, the private sector and all levels of government for their hard work and commitment in developing the Community Plan,” said Minister Volpe. “The signing of the Plan demonstrates our commitment to continue working together and to find solutions that strengthen the City of Toronto’s capacity to help individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.”

"It is important that the federal and provincial governments work closely with the City of Toronto and community agencies to provide transitional housing, shelter and essential services for homeless people in our city," said Councillor Mihevc. "Strong partnerships and long-term funding will continue to create viable options for people in need."

In consultation with the community and various stakeholders, a set of objectives and priorities has been identified that include building public awareness and support; creating and preserving housing options; targeting capital investment in shelters and community facilities and building capacity and sustainable partnerships.

The Community Plan is the community’s vision of how best to help homeless individuals and families. Only the community can identify assets, gaps and determine priorities that will meet local requirements to both prevent and reduce homelessness.

By working in partnership with community organizations, the private and voluntary sectors and other levels of government, the NHI is bringing all stakeholders together to develop local solutions that work to address particular needs and challenges faced by homeless people. Through this coordinated approach, the following programs are available to support communities across Canada: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative; the Regional Homelessness Fund; the National Research Program; the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System; and the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Fund.

The Government of Canada launched the National Homelessness Initiative in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Since the launch, the federal government has supported more than 625 projects, with total funding of over $125 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 National Homelessness Initiative. These projects will result in:
  • The creation of approximately 8,000 new, permanent beds in shelters, transitional, and supportive houses;
  • The construction, renovation, and enhancement of roughly 1000 sheltering facilities and support facilities, such as food banks, soup kitchens and drop-in centres;
  • The transfer of 50 federal surplus properties worth over $9 million, which will result in the creation of 214 transitional and affordable housing units; and
  • In addition to the Government of Canada investment, partnerships have leveraged over a half billion dollars towards 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

For more information, contact:

Deborah Wallace
Government of Canada
(416) 954-7302

Denis D’Amour
Minister Bradshaw’s Office
(506) 851-3419

Patricia Walcott
Government of Canada
City Facilitator, Toronto
(416) 954-9383

Phil Brown
General Manager
Shelter, Housing & Support
City of Toronto
416-392-7885