OTTAWA, Feb. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development announced a call for nominations for an Advisory Committee of experts and stakeholders in the field of homelessness to support the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. In his capacity as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs) and Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York, Adam Vaughan will chair the Advisory Committee.
Employment and Social Development Canada invites Canadians to submit their nomination to become a member of the new Advisory Committee on Homelessness based on the following criteria:
- Knowledge of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy;
- A minimum of two years of experience working or volunteering with an organization working on homelessness related issues (e.g. municipality, health sector, service provider, non-governmental organization, university/college etc.);
- Ability to participate constructively in policy discussions. This could include public policy discussions at the local, provincial or territorial, federal or global levels on issues related to, for example, strategy development, planning, priority setting, and resource allocation; and,
- Available and willing to commit to participate as an Advisory Committee member over the entire period of the Advisory Committee's work, anticipated to be up to six months.
Other considerations:
- Knowledge of issues facing particular sub-populations experiencing homelessness in Canada (for example: Indigenous peoples and Inuit, veterans, youth, women fleeing violence) would be an asset.
- Persons with lived experience of homelessness are encouraged to submit their nomination.
The nomination period will be open from February 1 to February 20, 2017 (23:59 PT). The members of the Advisory Committee will be announced in spring 2017.
Quote
"Every segment of our society must be treated with dignity and respect and be given the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. The Advisory Committee will be providing guidance and practical solutions in the renewal of Homelessness Partnering Strategy to assure that we provide the adequate support to communities to build capacity."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Quick Facts
- The Homelessness Partnering Strategy builds on the former National Homelessness Initiative, which was introduced in 1999.
- The Homelessness Partnering Strategy provides almost $600 million over five years (2014–2019), with a focus on the Housing First approach.
- Budget 2016 provided an additional funding of $111.8 million over two years for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy to give communities the support and flexibility they need to help prevent and reduce homelessness and test new and innovative approaches— particularly among specific homeless populations such as Indigenous and Inuit Canadians, youth, women fleeing violence and veterans.
- Since its launch, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefitted from education and training opportunities; over 34,000 have received help to find work; more than 6,000 new shelter beds have been created; and over 82,000 people have been placed in more stable housing.
Associated Links
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/communities/homelessness.html
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
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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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