Government of Canada provides stable housing for a family in need.
FLORENCEVILLE-BRISTOL, NB, July 25, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to providing families with a safe and affordable place to live in order to help them to get back on their feet.
Today, Thomas J. (TJ) Harvey, Member of the Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, announced on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, that a family from Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick at risk of becoming homeless will soon have an affordable place to call home.
The Government of Canada, through the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI), is providing Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area Inc. with a home that was previously used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as employee living quarters. The home was purchased by the organization for $1.
The property located in Florenceville-Bristol will undergo minor renovations before being transferred to the respective homeowners. The organization will complete all necessary renovations and environmental remediation within nine months from the date the properties are transferred. The organization will own and operate the houses during the monitoring period of 15 years.
SFRPHI, part of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, makes surplus federal real properties available to communities at low or no cost for projects that help provide stable and affordable housing for homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless.
Quotes
"I am proud the Government of Canada is helping to prevent and reduce homelessness in the community of Florenceville-Bristol. Together, we are building strong communities by providing adequate and affordable housing that meet the needs of the most vulnerable Canadians."
– Thomas J. (TJ) Harvey, Member of the Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac
"The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative provides communities with support to develop affordable housing in order to reduce homelessness. Thanks to this partnership with the community, not-for-profit sector and governments, we can lend a helping hand to families in need."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“Public Services and Procurement Canada is proud to be playing a role in reducing homelessness by repurposing surplus government properties to support affordable housing programs. Together, we are making it easier for hard-working Canadians to find safe and affordable places to call home and raise a family.”
– Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Quick Facts
- Budget 2017 includes additional funding of $202 million over the next 11 years to make more surplus federal lands and buildings available for affordable housing under the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.
- The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is one of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy's national funding streams. To date, 156 properties have been transferred under Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.
- The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing funding and direct support to 61 designated communities across Canada, as well as Indigenous and rural and remote communities.
- Since the launch of the HPS, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefited from education and training opportunities; more than 6,000 new shelter beds have been created; and over 82,000 people have been placed in more stable housing.
- Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area Inc. is the Local Affiliate of the Habitat for Humanity Canada. Their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Associated Links
Homelessness Partnering Strategy
Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative
Backgrounder
Homelessness Partnering Strategy
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 designated communities in all provinces and territories.
Through the HPS, qualified organizations and other eligible recipients may receive funding for projects to help prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. These projects are funded through regional and/or national funding streams.
Regional projects
Funding delivered regionally focuses on the needs of homeless and at-risk individuals at the local level, and aims to help individuals gain and maintain a stable living arrangement. The three regional streams are:
- Designated Communities;
- Rural and Remote Homelessness (non-designated communities); and
- Aboriginal Homelessness.
National projects
The national funding streams help to develop a better understanding of homelessness based on local data collection, and make surplus federal real properties available to organizations that plan to use the facilities to address homelessness.
- National Homelessness Information System;
- Surplus Federal Real Property Initiative; and
- Innovative Solutions to Homelessness.
Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative
The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is one of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding streams. It makes surplus federal real properties available to communities for projects that help stabilize the living arrangements of homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless. Since its inception, the Initiative has proven to be an effective way of supporting communities in their effort to prevent and reduce homelessness, while ensuring that surplus federal real properties continue to further the objectives of the federal government even after they have outlived their original purpose.
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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