GATINEAU, QC, April 1, 2019 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Yet, every day, vulnerable Canadians experience homelessness, or are at risk of becoming homeless. The Government of Canada is taking action to help those in need and make a real impact to reduce homelessness across Canada.

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced the launch of Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy. First announced on June 11, 2018, Reaching Home replaces the existing Homelessness Partnering Strategy, and will continue to support communities' efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. Reaching Home supports the goals of the National Housing Strategy, especially the reduction of chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by 2027–28.

Through Reaching Home, the Government of Canada is reinforcing its existing community-based approach by delivering funding directly to municipalities and local service providers. The Government will also expand the program's reach to up to six new communities through an open and transparent process which is currently underway.

The Government will continue to work with communities to develop and deliver data-driven systems with clear outcomes. This new outcomes-based approach, along with the removal of all Housing First investment targets, will keep decision making at the local level and give communities greater flexibility to address local priorities and achieve results for the most vulnerable within their communities.

Communities will also have three years to introduce coordinated access systems to prioritize those individuals most in need of housing and support services. The Government is committed to supporting communities through this transformation by providing tools and access to training and technical assistance.

A transition period is in place to ensure service continuity as communities implement the new elements of Reaching Home.

To learn more about Reaching Home, visit the website for information.

Quote

"When one person is forced to live on the streets, we're all diminished. Homelessness is a reality for too many Canadians, and a challenge for every Canadian community. Through Reaching Home we're working with other levels of government, NGOs, Indigenous partners, and communities across Canada to provide more stable housing to people living in homelessness and increasing support for vulnerable groups. This is only the beginning and one of many changes that will make a real impact on the lives of vulnerable Canadians. By working together, we can reduce homelessness in our communities by 50% over the next 10 years."

– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada has committed a total investment of $2.2 billion over 10 years to tackle homelessness. By 2021–22, this will double annual investments compared to 2015–16.

has committed a total investment of over 10 years to tackle homelessness. By 2021–22, this will double annual investments compared to 2015–16. In Quebec , the Homelessness Partnering Strategy is delivered through a formal Canada - Quebec agreement that respects the jurisdiction and priorities of both governments in addressing homelessness. Since 2001, five agreements for joint implementation of federal homelessness programming have been concluded, including the current agreement for 2014−2019. In order to implement Reaching Home and allocate funds in Quebec beyond April 1, 2019 , negotiations are underway with the Quebec government with the objective of concluding a sixth Canada - Quebec agreement.

, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy is delivered through a formal - agreement that respects the jurisdiction and priorities of both governments in addressing homelessness. Since 2001, five agreements for joint implementation of federal homelessness programming have been concluded, including the current agreement for 2014−2019. In order to implement Reaching Home and allocate funds in beyond , negotiations are underway with the government with the objective of concluding a sixth - agreement. The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative, a funding stream of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, sunset on March 31, 2019 , and has been replaced by the Federal Lands Initiative led by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

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Backgrounder: Reaching Home

Associated Links

Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy

National Housing Strategy

Federal Lands Initiative

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Valérie Glazer, 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]

Related Links

www.hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

