April 16, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTREAL, QUEBEC — C.A.F.É. Paradoxe (Centre d’animation, Formation, Échange) will receive a significant contribution to set up a new temporary shelter. The Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Social Development and MP for Verdun─Saint-Henri─Saint-Paul─Pointe Saint-Charles, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness, today announced funding of $1.6 million to complete this community project. The funding is provided through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), and reaffirms the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthen Canada’s social foundations, as stated in the Speech from the Throne.

“C.A.F.E. Paradoxe is a dynamic community organization that the Government of Canada is pleased to partner with on this important project. Improving the lives of young adults is a key priority for all of us and this funding will make a positive difference in the lives of many of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Minister Frulla.

The Government of Canada’s contribution will be used to purchase, renovate and improve a building in order to provide a new temporary shelter consisting of four supportive housing units for young single mothers and four transitional housing units for people who are single. C.A.F.É. Paradoxe, which has been in existence for nearly 20 years, is known as a dynamic organization, committed to meeting the needs of marginalized young adults.

“Young people who are experiencing difficulties can now count on an additional alternative to alleviate their hardship. The Government of Canada’s contribution will allow C.A.F.É. Paradoxe finalize its activities with the addition of the transitional housing program which will help integrate the young people we work with,” stated Mr. Gérald St-George, general director of the C.A.F.É. Paradoxe.

In July 2003, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed a new agreement of cooperation regarding the SCPI and the Regional Homelessness Fund. This agreement respects the jurisdictions, policies and priorities of both governments with regard to homelessness. A joint management committee oversees the coordination of this agreement and is supported in its work by an advisory committee composed of representatives from both levels of government and from community organizations.

The NHI is making a difference by encouraging the development of flexible, community-driven solutions to help alleviate homelessness. Since the inception of the NHI, the Government of Canada has invested approximately $80 million in more than 450 projects to reduce homelessness in Quebec. Funding for this Initiative is provided for in the March 2004 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, please visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca

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