Sioux Lookout's Out of the Cold shelter receiving funds from federal government
Press release ...
Government of Canada helps homeless people in Sioux Lookout
SIOUX LOOKOUT, Ontario, January 23, 2009—The Government of Canada is helping those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless build a stronger future for themselves.
Mr. Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, announced that the Homelessness Partnering Strategy is helping to renovate and purchase equipment for the Out of the Cold shelter in Sioux Lookout.
“Our government is supporting many Canadians with housing needs and is fulfilling its commitment to help those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Mr. Rickford. “We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local issues. By investing in this project, we are supporting community efforts to help those in need.”
The announcement took place at the Sioux Lookout, Out of the Cold shelter, run by the Community Counselling and Addiction Services (CCAS), a branch of the Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre.
This project will enable the organization to develop day services and programming for the local homeless population such as counselling, life skills development, food preparation classes and addiction services. Individuals will benefit from having a safe place to live, where they can get help to transition out of homelessness. The Government of Canada is contributing more than $96,000 to this project.
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy recognizes that housing stability is essential to self-sufficiency and full participation in Canadian society. It focuses on transitional and supportive housing to help people overcome homelessness. With its clear goals of improved partnerships, enhanced sustainability and tangible results, the strategy provides concrete, meaningful and lasting results for Canadians in need.
The Government of Canada will invest $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness over the next five years.
“Our government is investing more in affordable and supportive housing than any other federal government in Canada’s history and, as a result, we are helping tens of thousands of Canadians who are especially vulnerable in the current economic environment,” said Mr. Rickford.
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For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.homelessness.gc.ca.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
National Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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Backgrounder
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding of $269.6 million over two years to more than 60 communities across Canada.
Under the HPS, the Government of Canada is offering to work in partnership with all provinces and territories. Such partnerships would encourage better alignment of federal and provincial/territorial investments, and help provide a seamless continuum of support for homeless people.
The HPS has three main initiatives: the Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI), the Homelessness Accountability Network and the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.
The Homelessness Partnership Initiative is the cornerstone of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Its housing-first approach recognizes that the first step is to provide individuals with transitional and supportive housing.
The HPI has four funding components:
• Designated Communities
• Outreach Communities
• Aboriginal Communities
• Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects
The Homelessness Accountability Network helps to strengthen program accountability. It also develops knowledge and encourages organizations to reinforce their networks and share best practices.
The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative makes surplus federal property as well as land available to community organizations, the not-for-profit sector, and other levels of government, for projects to prevent and reduce homelessness.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.homelessness.gc.ca.