Government of Canada Helps Those Who Are Homeless or at Risk of Homelessness in St. John's

"Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs, and is helping those seeking to break free from the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Senator Manning. "Through partnerships like this one, we can help vulnerable youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find safe and temporary housing while they learn new skills and get the support they need to become more self-sufficient."

Through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Government of Canada provided $595,000 in funding to Choices for Youth to help purchase and renovate the Lilly Building, a three-storey facility. The work included transforming the top two floors into 14 supportive housing units for youth between the ages of 16 and 25, as well as renovating the bottom floor to create office and program administration space for the facility's staff.

"It's truly an amazing feeling to now walk through the doors of the Lilly Building and see youth feeling at home and receiving the support they need to improve their lives and open themselves to a future that is bright and promising," said Mr. Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director of Choices for Youth. "Through strong ongoing partnerships, we are well on our way to experiencing even more growth and improving the lives of even more young people who need it most."

The project has also received a total of $2.29 million in funding through various federal-provincial initiatives to offset construction costs. This includes $900,000 under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program; $680,000 from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, through the Housing Trust Funds; and $164,000 under the federal-provincial Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program. Furthermore, the project also received Seed Funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to assist with the initial planning stages.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy emphasizes longer-term supportive and transitional housing by focusing on a housing-first approach to help people make the transition out of the cycle of homelessness. The Government of Canada is investing over $1.9 billion over five years, until 2014, for housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians.

Canada's Economic Action Plan has built on these investments by making an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, and by making available up to $2 billion in loans to Canadian municipalities over two years for housing-related infrastructure improvements. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness

Backgrounder

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 communities across Canada. The HPS took effect April 1, 2007, with annual funding of $134.8 million for two years, and was extended in 2008 for a further two years until March 31, 2011.

The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless achieve self-sufficiency and full participation in society. This model seeks to address homelessness by working in partnership with the provinces and territories, other federal departments, as well as with communities and the private and not-for-profit sectors.

The availability of safe and stable housing and related supports is an important element in addressing homelessness and helping individuals who are homeless achieve greater self-sufficiency and a better quality of life. The Government's investments are creating jobs, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for many Canadians.

By working with all our partners, we will maximize results to make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable Canadians. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy provides the support that our community partners are seeking.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy uses a housing-first approach, recognizing that the first step is to provide individuals with transitional and supportive housing.

The HPS has seven funding streams:

Regionally Delivered:

--  Designated Communities 
--  Outreach Communities 
--  Aboriginal Communities 

Nationally Delivered:

--  Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects 
--  Homelessness Knowledge Development 
--  Homeless Individuals and Families Information System  
--  Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative 

For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the seven funding streams, please visit the following website: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request. 819-994-5559