SASKATOON – Saskatoon will receive millions from the Government of Canada to help combat homelessness over the next five years.
The federal investment of $5,635,000 was announced Monday at the Lighthouse.
Annually, $392,000 will be distributed to a designated community fund and $735,000 will go to a aboriginal homelessness fund.
It’s a continuation of the Harper government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) funds that began on April 1 and runs until March 31, 2019.
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A new HPS program will now emphasize a ‘housing first’ approach with a focus on people who are chronically homeless.
“We all have waiting lists. We all have demands so we’re hoping that we can get some proposals out here fairly shortly and get the money allocated by late this fall. So enhance services will start,” said Jo-Ann Coleman-Pidskalny, chair of Community Advisory Board on Saskatoon Homelessness.
Also announced Monday, the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) will retain its role managing the HPS funding in the city.
Since 2012, SHIP has helped create 42 housing units as well as the stabilization and intox shelter at the Lighthouse and upgraded facilities at Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.
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