Canada    
News release

April 2, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Funding helps provide housing for youth and programs for community

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO—The Regional Municipality of Peel received funding from the Government of Canada today to construct the Acorn Place Community and Development Centre. Ms. Carolyn Parrish, Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre, announced funding of $474,818 under the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. This builds on $2 million in funding that was approved for the project in February 2002. The investment will help toward building a unique housing, educational and recreational centre for young adults from the community and provide them with the supports they need to secure permanent housing and job opportunities.

“The Acorn Place Centre is a fantastic project that will help ensure that young people who are in unstable situations, or at risk of becoming homeless, have the tools necessary to succeed,” stated Ms. Parrish. “The Government of Canada is pleased to play a significant part in helping Peel continue efforts to address homelessness.” “We are thrilled to receive this support from the Government of Canada,” said Patricia Mullin, Peel Regional Councillor and Housing Committee Chair. “These funds will go a long way to helping Peel address the needs of out most vulnerable citizens. We’re encouraged that the federal government sets a high priority on strengthening communities and enhancing individual lives.”

Since the federal government launched the NHI in December 1999, more than $3 million has been invested in the Regional Municipality of Peel. Provincially, the Government of Canada has supported 628 projects with a total of $124.8 million to alleviate homelessness in Ontario. Funding 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 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) 851-7134

Keith Ward
Commissioner of Housing and Property
Regional Municipality of Peel
(905) 791-7800 x4670