February 13, 2002, York Region projects receive $1.1 million to address homelessness

NEWMARKET–The Regional Municipality of York will use $1.1 million in funding from the Government of Canada's Supporting Community Partnerships Initiative (SCPI) for nine projects that will directly benefit homeless people in York Region. The projects will provide 10 new emergency shelter units for families, increased shelter capacity for abused women, and research to determine best practices for serving homeless youth.

"The projects announced today are in addition to the $355,000 in urgent needs funding our government provided last year under the SCPI as part of the National Homelessness Initiative. That support had an immediate impact on the improvement of programs and services for York Region's homeless people," said Members of Parliament the Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, the Honourable Elinor Caplan, Karen Kraft-Sloan, the Honourable John McCallum and Bryon Wilfert in a joint statement on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour, and Federal Co-ordinator on Homelessness.

"The projects announced today will not only enhance the programs and services we provide to our homeless population," said Regional Chair Bill Fisch, "they will also address the pressing need for more shelter beds for families and extended services to youth."

Last November, the Government of Canada announced $1.6 million in funding for York Region and approved the Region's Community Plan to Address Homelessness. It later designated York Region to administer the funding to address homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. A total of 18 proposals were received from a wide variety of agencies providing services within York Region. The list of projects to receive funding is attached.

"This funding will have a strong impact on our communities. Youth at risk, families in need and individuals with many difficulties will benefit from these projects." said Colleen Zakoor, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association and Co-Chair of the York Region Alliance on Homelessness and Social Isolation. "This is an important step in 'making services happen' for the homeless population in York Region."

A Community Advisory Board, comprised of funding and planning agencies, reviewed the proposals and made recommendations for funding allocation. Recommendations were based on evaluation criteria created from the priority issues and target areas identified in the Community Plan. The Community Advisory Board membership includes representatives from the United Way of York Region, Trillium Foundation, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Simcoe York District Health Council and the Regional Municipality of York.

The SCPI enables communities to bring together various partners to develop local solutions to their particular homelessness needs and issues. The Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative also includes expansion of existing programs for youth and aboriginal peoples, enhancement of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's renovations and shelter programs, and making surplus federal properties available for homelessness related activities. The National Homelessness Initiative is making a difference in addressing this issue by using a community-based approach to help develop solutions that work.

For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative, visit their Web site at www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/nsh-snsa

For more information on the Regional Municipality of York, the services offered and links to York Region's nine area municipalities, visit their Web site at www.region.york.on.ca

Attachment – one page

For more information, contact:

Bob Howsam David Klug

Government of Canada Office of the Minister of Labour

(416) 954-7810 (819) 953-5646

Wendy Lewis, Corporate Communications

York Region

1-877-464-9675, ext. 1238

York Region Projects funded under the

Government of Canada's Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative

February 2002

Service Provider	Project Description	Budget

Transitional and Supportive Housing Services of York Region	Expand Leeder Place family shelter by 10 units	$621,950

Sandgate Women's Shelter of Georgina Inc.	Increase shelter capacity-partner with MCSS to fund new beds	$59,115

Transitional and Supportive Housing Services of York Region	Purchase new van to replace existing one which is older and becoming costly to maintain-needed because of shelters' location off transit routes	$38,525

Lance Krasman Memorial Centre	Laundry appliances and transit tickets	$4,400

York Support Services Network	Establish "safe bed" system using existing under utilized supported accommodation	$96,700

Pathways for Children, Youth and Families of York Region	Extend hours of Home Base Drop-In for Homeless Youth to weekends	$47,019

Pathways for Children, Youth and Families	Research best practices for services for homeless youth	$37,400

Canadian Mental Health Association	Support to Homelessness Alliance Public education campaign on issues of homelessness, affordable housing and landlord-tenant relations Hold "Identification Clinics" on a regular basis	$81,723

York Region Neighbourhood Services	Support to youth 16-24 in four sites across the Region to provide counselling, life skills training and referrals to existing services	$125,000
Total		$1,111,832