GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN HELPING THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS IN REGINA

The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan are helping those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless build a stronger future for themselves.

Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, on behalf of Minister Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced funding of $724,016 to the YWCA of Regina for their My Aunt's Place project under the Government of Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).

"Our government is supporting many Canadians with housing needs and is fulfilling our commitment to help those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Lukiwski. "Through this investment, the YWCA of Regina will be able to help women and children in need."

Also today, Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Estevan Doreen Eagles, on behalf of Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer, announced that the Government of Saskatchewan will provide funding to the YWCA of Regina for the My Aunt's Place project of up to $166,725 for 2009-10. The Government of Saskatchewan has also committed to renew its agreement with the YWCA of Regina to fund My Aunt's Place in 2010-11, based on the shelter's projected occupancy.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and the YWCA of Regina on the My Aunt's Place initiative," Eagles said. "There is a pressing need for more emergency housing for at-risk single women and women with children in Regina, and the 20 new spaces at My Aunt's Place will make a huge difference in our community and in the lives of the many women and children who will reside there. We will continue to work with community-based organizations such as the YWCA, and with the federal government and municipalities, to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our society have places to live and other supports in times of need."

This joint funding from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will make it possible for YWCA of Regina to offer transitional housing for homeless women and children through the purchase and renovation of a 20-bed transitional home.

"Through the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS), the Government of Canada is building partnerships with the province, municipality and Regina's Aboriginal community to develop innovative solutions that address local priorities," Urban Aboriginal Strategy Regional Director Denis Carignan said. "My Aunt's Place represents an excellent example of how the UAS brings people together to identify and support community-based projects that make a difference in the lives of urban Aboriginal people."

"It is deeply heartening that despite economic uncertainties, the needs of the homeless have been recognized by all levels of government and other funding partners," YWCA of Regina Executive Director Deanna Elias-Henry said. "We are very grateful at the YWCA that we are not alone in our commitment to women and children."

In September 2008, the Government of Canada announced $1.9 billion over five years for housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians. This commitment provides the government with the flexibility to work with the provinces and territories, municipalities and charitable organizations to develop ways to improve the effectiveness of federal spending in the area of housing and homelessness.

This ongoing funding will ensure that the government can continue to assist those who need support, including homeless people and those at risk of homelessness - low-income Canadians, seniors, people with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal Canadians.

Canada's Economic Action Plan is building 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, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The provision of safe and stable housing and related supports is an important element for addressing homelessness and helping individuals achieve greater self-sufficiency and improved quality of life. The HPS therefore places an emphasis on longer-term transitional and supportive housing through a housing-first approach to help people overcome homelessness.

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

For more information on the housing and income assistance initiatives of the Government of Saskatchewan, please visit http://www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Phone: 819-994-2482

Brian Miller
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531

National Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Phone: 819-994-5559