[CAH] TWO YEAR EXTENSION OF FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS FUNDING

Wed Dec 20 08:54:15 EST 2006

Good news Members! 

A two year extension of Federal Homelessness Funding. Clear details about the program have not yet been communicated however we will continue to keep you updates as new information comes in.

Darcy

news release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT COMMITS $526 MILLION TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS AND EXTEND FUNDING FOR RENOVATION PROGRAMS

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, December 19, 2006-Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, announced $526 million for the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), a strategy aimed at combating homelessness in communities across Canada and extending CMHC's renovation programs.

The new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) will be funded at $270 million over two years. 

The new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) includes:

  a.. Consulting with stakeholders from the private and non-profit sectors and listening to their concerns; 
  b.. Partnering with the provinces and territories in the new year to determine how funding will be effectively allocated across Canada, thereby addressing the unique needs of many Canadian communities similar to the Canada-Quebec Agreement model; 
  c.. Providing greater access to support networks appropriate to individual needs of homeless people (such as skills training, health and substance abuse treatment) to help them attain self-sufficiency and full participation in Canadian society; 
  d.. Requiring that funding be specifically targeted at the development of transitional and supportive housing; and 
  e.. Tracking progress in the prevention and reduction of homelessness. 

"This announcement will help The Salvation Army give hope today and everyday by investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in communities across Canada," said Commissioner of The Salvation Army, Christine MacMillan. "We are extremely grateful for the generous support of the federal government and we value this partnership and their commitment to supporting vulnerable Canadians." 

./2

"Canada's New Government is delivering on its commitment to help those who are homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless," said Minister Finley. "We consulted with stakeholders - those on the front lines giving assistance everyday to families in need - and listened to their concerns. In the New Year, we will bring the provinces and territories to the table to better address the needs of particular regions and communities. But most importantly, this Homelessness Partnering Strategy gives hope to the homeless with sustainable solutions to become active members of Canadian society."

"Today's announcement is good news for Quebec," said Minister Cannon. "Our new Homelessness Partnering Strategy will help ensure that funding is provided for the next two years to help those who need it most, and will build on the existing Canada-Quebec Agreement." 

"This new Homelessness Partnering Strategy will allow for important partnerships to develop solutions to reducing homelessness," said John Dickie, President of the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations. 

As a part of this $526 million investment, Minister Finley announced $256 million for the two-year extension of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) renovation programs for low-income households.  These home modifications help seniors and persons with disabilities remain independent in their homes, and preserve the housing for people who are at risk of homelessness. These programs will help improve the living conditions for some 38,000 low-income people including seniors, persons with disabilities, victims of family violence and Aboriginal peoples.

To help ensure Canadians have safe, adequate and affordable housing, Canada's New Government also announced an investment of $1.4 billion in Budget 2006.  This investment is being made through the establishment of three housing trusts for the provinces and territories to invest in affordable housing. 

Human Resources and Social Development Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy will take effect April 1, 2007.

-30-

Please see attached backgrounder for further details.  This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

./3

For more information (media only):

      Colleen Cameron

      Minister Finley's Office

      (819) 994-2482

     Media Relations

      Human Resources and Social Development Canada

      819-994-5559

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BACKGROUNDER

Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS)

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a new federal program to combat homelessness in Canada by putting into place the structures and supports needed to move an individual towards self-sufficiency and participation in Canadian society. This initiative provides $270 million over two years. The program will encourage partnerships among all stakeholders, enhance long-term sustainability for the homeless and achieve concrete, meaningful and lasting results for Canadians in need.

The HPS improves upon the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) and its cornerstone program, the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), as follows:

  a.. The strategy invites partnerships with provincial and territorial governments (similar to the Canada-Quebec Agreement model).  New partnerships with private and non-profit sectors will also be encouraged. By working with all stakeholders, the funding can be allocated effectively to ensure it addresses the unique needs of the communities in their respective regions.

  a.. The strategy also focuses on a 'housing first' approach, which reinforces that having shelter is a pre-condition to self-sufficiency and full participation in society.  As such, the Government of Canada's funding will be specifically targeted at the development of transitional and supportive housing.  These capital investments in facilities will bolster community efforts and complement the health, training and social investments made by provinces and territories. 

  a.. It encourages federal departments to work together in areas linked to homelessness - such as corrections, crime prevention, mental health, family violence, skills development and immigration.  

  a.. It ensures that all federal capital investments are strategically coordinated with other federal, provincial and territorial investments in health, training and social services, which will maximize the opportunity for homeless persons to become self-sufficient.

  a.. It improves the tracking of progress in the prevention and reduction of homelessness.

  a.. It promotes improved access to supports that respond to the individual needs of homeless people, such as skills training, health services, and substance abuse treatment, so that they can become self-sufficient and move out of emergency shelters and into transitional or permanent housing.

The HPS is comprised of three initiatives:

1. The Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI) is the cornerstone of the HPS. Its housing-first approach recognizes that the first step is to house individuals. Afterwards, other supports can be instituted as required to improve health, parenting, education, and employment.  

The HPI identifies four target areas for funding:

o       Designated communities: These are communities identified as having a significant problem with homelessness. As with SCPI, these communities would be able to access multi-year funding which must be matched from other sources. 

o       Rural and outlying areas:  These areas, which include the North, will be eligible for funding to support one-time projects to fill specific gaps in rural infrastructure addressing homelessness. 

o       Partnerships with Aboriginal groups:  These partnerships will ensure that services meet the acute and unique needs of the homeless Aboriginal people, whether in cities or rural areas. 

o       Federal horizontal pilot projects: Human Resources and Social Development Canada will mobilize federal departments such as Health, Justice, Citizenship and Immigration, and Indian Affairs and Northern Development to work collaboratively on issues which may lead to homelessness such as corrections, mental health, family violence, and immigration.

2. The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI) makes surplus federal property available to community organizations, the non-profit sector, and other levels of government for projects to alleviate and prevent homelessness. Under the new HPS, SFRPHI is more flexible to allow land exchanges.  Community groups can exchange, under certain conditions, a federal property received under the SFRPHI for another similar, and more suitable, property.

3. The Homelessness Accountability Network (HAN) streamlines reporting, strengthens program accountability, develops knowledge and encourages organizations to reinforce their networks and share best practices. This network builds upon the Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) and National Research Program (NRP) components of the NHI by facilitating access to, and dissemination of, housing support information and tools.

http://news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=263819&categoryid=1&category=News+Releases&
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: /pipermail/members_cahhalifax.org/attachments/20061220/243b5f31/attachment-0001.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: FINAL_HPS_NR (Dec.19 - 2pm).doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 88064 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : /pipermail/members_cahhalifax.org/attachments/20061220/243b5f31/attachment-0002.doc 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Finley_Homelessness_Backgrounder(Dec.19- 12h).doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 48640 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : /pipermail/members_cahhalifax.org/attachments/20061220/243b5f31/attachment-0003.doc 