Government of Canada Invests in London Housing First Youth Shelter

Logo: Government of Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Logo: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

LONDON, ON, April 18, 2019 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.

Today in London, Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a federal government financial commitment of over $2.96 million for the construction of the Youth Opportunities Unlimited Housing First Youth Shelter.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to the investments of other partners, notably the City of London, this project by Youth Opportinities Unlimited (YOU) will provide emergency shelter and diversion services to young adults 16 to 24 years of age, who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

For over 35 years, YOU has been in the business of building opportunities for youth through education, skills training, employment supports and referrals they need to lead positive lives. From health and dental care to housing, workshops and on-the-job skills training, YOU's vision is a community where youth are embraced and will thrive.

Quotes

"Our Government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to be investing in this project. YOU Housing First Youth Shelter is more than just a safe and supportive place to spend the night, it is a key to a better life for the vulnerable individuals who come here when they have nowhere else to go." – Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"Many young people in our community experience homelessness and suffer tremendously as a result.  This is not acceptable. Without a home, these youth face impossible challenges in building their lives and participating in our community.  With this investment, YOU will have the resources needed to help many of London's youth see hope, find homes and achieve their full potential." – Steve Cordes, Executive Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited

"YOU matters to London, and what I appreciate is while this YOU emergency shelter is not the final stop for young people in transition; it represents the beginning of a positive change." – Ed Holder, Mayor of London.

Quick Facts

• The YOU Housing First Youth Shelter will be located at 585 Clarke Road, south of Oxford Street.
• With its' new building, YOU aims to achieve energy savings of 34% and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 51% compared to the NECB 2015.
• 6 of the 30 units (20%) will be designed as fully accessible while the entire building will be completed as universal design.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Associated Links

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Valérie Glazer, Press secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 613-220-1841, [email protected]; Spencer Magee, Public Affairs, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 647-244-0040, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca