Government of Canada provides a safe place to call home for a family in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick Français
FREDERICTON, Feb. 26, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to helping those who are in need and believes that one homeless Canadian is one too many. A family in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, will be provided with an affordable and safe place to call home so that they can get back on their feet.
The Government of Canada is moving forward on its commitment to work in partnership with provinces and territories, communities and other stakeholders from the private and not-for-profit sectors to prevent and reduce homelessness. On behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, Thomas J. (T.J.) Harvey, Member of Parliament for Tobique–Mactaquac, announced the transfer of a home under the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI).
The SFRPHI is a funding stream of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, which makes surplus federal real properties available for a nominal sum of $1 to eligible recipients for projects that contribute to the prevention and reduction of homelessness. The SFRPHI's primary objective is to enhance the ability of communities to provide facilities that help stabilize the living arrangements of homeless individuals, families and those at risk of becoming homeless.
The property, previously under the custodianship of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will undergo minor renovations before being transferred to the family. This is one of the many homes that Habitat for Humanity Fredericton will renovate and provide to a family with the additional support needed to succeed and deal with day-to-day challenges.
Quotes
"Projects like these are important and a testament to our collective efforts to work together to reduce homelessness and support vulnerable families in Canada. We need to continue to work with community partners such as Habitat for Humanity Fredericton, so that we can build capacity and maintain safe, stable and affordable housing to reduce chronic homelessness."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
"I am proud that the Government of Canada is providing a family in the community of Plaster Rock with adequate and stable housing. Together with partners like Habitat for Humanity Fredericton, we are working to provide the most vulnerable Canadians with a safe place to call home."
– Thomas J. (T.J.) Harvey, Member of Parliament for Tobique–Mactaquac
"The board and staff of Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area are pleased to acquire this house in Plaster Rock through the SFRPHI program. We look forward to selecting a family to be future homeowners and giving them the opportunity of a 'hand up' to move into a safe, decent and affordable home through the Habitat for Humanity mortgage model. We appreciate the support we have received from the Government of Canada over the years."
– Perry Kendall, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Fredericton
Quick Facts
- The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI) is a funding stream of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, a unique community-based program that aims to prevent and reduce homelessness by providing funding and direct support to 61 designated communities across Canada, as well as Indigenous, rural and remote communities.
- To give more Canadians access to housing that is safe, adequate and affordable, the Government of Canada recently announced the National Housing Strategy. Through the National Housing Strategy, the federal government is re-engaging in affordable housing and bringing together the public, private and non-profit sectors to ensure more Canadians have a place to call home.
- The goal of this historic strategy is to make sure Canadians across the country can access housing that meets their needs and that they can afford. It is expected that this strategy will help thousands of Canadian households in need to find adequate, suitable and affordable housing. To achieve this goal, the strategy will first focus on the most vulnerable Canadians. This includes women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addiction issues, veterans and young adults.
- Over the next 10 years, the strategy will cut chronic homelessness in half, remove 530,000 families from housing need and invest in the construction of up to 100,000 new affordable homes.
- As part of the National Housing Strategy, Budget 2017 announced a total investment of $2.1 billion from 2018–19 to 2027–28 to expand and extend the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
- Reaching Home will replace the existing Homelessness Partnering Strategy and will officially launch April 1, 2019.
Related Products
Backgrounder: Homelessness Partnering Strategy
Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative
Associated Links
Backgrounder: Reaching Home
National Housing Strategy: Federal Lands Initiative
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Valérie Glazer, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Ashley Michnowski, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, 819-997-5421; Media Relations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, 819-420-5501, [email protected]
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