SAINT-PAMPHILE, QC, May 21 /CNW Telbec/ - Families and individuals in
Saint-Pamphile working to break free from the cycle of homelessness and
poverty and build a stronger future for themselves are getting help from the
Government of Canada.
Mr. Steven Blaney, Member of Parliament for Lévis-Bellechasse, on behalf
of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social
Development, today announced $50,000 in funding for the L'ABC des Hauts
Plateaux Montmagny-L'Islet organization under the Government's Homelessness
Partnering Strategy (HPS). The project is being funded under the Homelessness
Partnership Initiative (HPI), the cornerstone of the HPS.
"Our government is delivering on its commitment to help those who are
homeless or at risk of becoming homeless," said Mr. Blaney. "We are proud to
support community efforts that help find local solutions to local problems.
The L'ABC des Hauts Plateaux Montmagny-L'Islet organization will be able to
implement services that will help those in need."
This project will implement a front-line mobile service that will offer
assistance and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming
homeless. The funding will be used to cover part of the mobile unit's purchase
and operational costs as well as the engagement of an outreach worker. The
project is part of a $24.7 million commitment for 214 HPS projects to fight
homelessness throughout Quebec since April 2007.
"Our mandate is to facilitate the integration of people of all ages into
society and the labour market by helping them in their efforts to become
independent and to resolve any psychological, social or literacy issues they
may have," said Ms. Manon Leclerc, Coordinator, L'ABC des Hauts Plateaux
Montmagny-L'Islet. "The mobile unit will be a meeting place for youth and
others who are living in poverty. It will also be a cost-effective and
environmentally friendly means of transportation for the street worker and for
clients."
On February 22, 2008, Minister Solberg announced that 505 projects
totalling almost $150 million had been approved under the HPS to prevent and
reduce homelessness in Canada.
The HPS is providing $269.6 million over two years to help communities
across Canada combat homelessness more effectively. The Strategy recognizes
that housing stability is essential to self-sufficiency and full participation
in Canadian society. It focuses on transitional and supportive housing as
important measures to help people overcome homelessness. With its clear goals
of improved partnerships, enhanced sustainability and tangible results, the
Strategy will provide concrete, meaningful and lasting results for Canadians
in need.
"Our government is investing more in affordable and supportive housing
than any federal government in Canada's history, and as a result, we are
helping tens of thousands of Canadians reach a better, more stable life," said
Mr. Blaney.
The link between homelessness and mental illness is well established. In
2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the first-ever Mental Health
Commission of Canada, and in Budget 2008, the Government of Canada committed
$110 million for the Commission to develop new innovative demonstration
projects that will help Canadians facing mental health and homelessness
challenges.
In January 2008, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec
signed a collaborative agreement with regard to the designated community and
outreach community components of the HPI. This agreement takes into account
the ways in which the HPI complements the Government of Quebec's programs and
policies to address homelessness.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please
visit www.homelessness.gc.ca.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
backgrounder
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The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) began on April 1, 2007. The
Strategy is providing $269.6 million over two years to prevent and reduce
homelessness in Canada. The HPS is a unique community-based program aimed at
preventing and reducing homelessness in Canada by providing funding and direct
support to more than 60 communities across Canada.
Under the HPS, the Government of Canada is offering to work in partnership
with all the provinces and territories. Once put in place, such partnerships
would encourage better alignment of federal and provincial/territorial
investments, and help to provide a seamless continuum of supports 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 ProjectsThe 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 further information: (media only): Pascal Doucet, Media Relations
Coordinator, Service Canada Communications, (514) 982-2384, ext. 2209; Media
Relations Office, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, (819)
994-5559
