Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Saskatoon
Untitled Document
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, July 29, 2010-Local female youth in need will benefit
from a new transitional housing facility, thanks to support from the governments
of Canada and Saskatchewan. Mr. Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin,
on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills
Development, made the announcement today, along with the Honourable June Draude,
Minister of Social Services for Saskatchewan.
"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 Mr. Vellacott. "We are pleased to be working with the Saskatoon Downtown
Youth Centre, which will provide female youth who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness with transitional housing to help them on their way to achieving
independence."
Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding of $347,280, and $300,000 in capital
funding from the Government of Saskatchewan, will be used by the Centre for
the construction of two buildings, which will create 10 new transitional beds
in Saskatoon. This facility will assist female youth between the ages of 12
and 15, primarily of Aboriginal ancestry, who are homeless or vulnerable to
homelessness.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to continue its partnership
with the Government of Canada and the Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre in providing
care and security for some of Saskatoon's most vulnerable citizens," said
Minister Draude. "In addition to $300,000 in capital funding from the Government
of Saskatchewan for this project, the Province also provides annual operating
funding of nearly $2 million to the Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre for nine
existing homes for vulnerable youth. This new project will create 10 additional
spaces for children and youth in care at two new homes in Saskatoon, and will
boost the annual operating funding provided to the Saskatoon Downtown Youth
Centre by the Government of Saskatchewan to $2.6 million."
Through the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative, a component
of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Government of Canada also provided
land valued at $365,000 to the Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre.
"We would like to thank the Government of Canada for its financial contribution
and the contribution of land on Wilson Crescent, which will be used in conjunction
with the commitment of our other partners-the Government of Saskatchewan, the
City of Saskatoon and our community partners-to allow us to strengthen our continuum
of services for young children ages 12 to 15," said Mr. Don Meikle, Director
of Housing and Outreach Services for the Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre. "We
will continue to provide these vulnerable young children with safe and supportive
housing so their journey in life can be less difficult."
In September 2008, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $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.
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 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 Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative, a funding stream
of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, makes surplus federal real properties
available to community organizations, the not-for-profit sector and other levels
of government for projects that help prevent and reduce homelessness. Partners
in the Initiative are Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Public
Works and Government Services Canada, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Brian Miller
Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services
306-787-0531
