OTTAWA, June 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada recognizes that homelessness is a reality for too many Canadians and a challenge for every community in Canada.
That is why, today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development announced the members of the Advisory Committee on Homelessness.The Advisory Committee will provide advice to the Minister on the redesign of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) beyond 2018-19 to better prevent and reduce homelessness. In his capacity as Parliamentary Secretary (Housing and Urban Affairs) to Minister Duclos, Adam Vaughan will serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee.
Selected from hundreds of nominations from across the country, the 13 member Advisory Committee is composed of diverse leaders in the field of homelessness. Members include housing and homelessness experts, local and regional service providers, as well as individuals with a lived experience of homelessness. The Advisory Committee on Homelessness proudly represents Canada's cultural, linguistic and regional diversity.
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"Every segment of our society must be treated with dignity and respect and be given the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. The Advisory Committee will provide guidance and practical solutions on the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy to ensure that it continues to provide adequate support to communities to prevent and reduce homelessness."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Quick Facts
- The Homelessness Partnering Strategy provides almost $600 million over five years (2014–2019), with a focus on the Housing First approach to help people secure stable housing while providing them with support for underlying issues, such as mental health and addiction.
- Budget 2017 proposes a total investment of $2.1 billion over the next 11 years to expand and extend funding for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) beyond 2018-19 in order to better prevent and reduce homelessness.
- This new investment builds on funding provided through Budget 2016 of $111.8 million over two years ($57.9 million in 2016-2017 and $53.9 million in 2017-2018) to give communities the support and flexibility they need to help prevent and reduce homelessness and test new and innovative approaches— particularly among specific homeless populations such as Indigenous Canadians, youth, women fleeing violence and veterans.
- Since 2007, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless benefitted from education and training opportunities; over 17,000 individuals have received help to find part-time work and 17,000 have received help to find full-time employment; more than 6,000 new shelter beds have been created; and over 82,000 people were placed in more stable housing between 2007 and 2014.
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell, 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]
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