Aboriginal housing initiatives in Saskatoon receive funding to tackle homelessness
- EFN Staff | September 19, 2017
Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and the Community Advisory Board on Saskatoon Homelessness (CAB-SH) recently announced funding for three important agencies in Saskatoon who serve and support individuals who face homelessness.
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy program, these important projects aim to prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada:
1. Saskatoon Tribal Council Urban First Nation Services will receive $ 143,000 towards the purchase of a transitional home for children. This home replaces aging stock and will increase their capacity from 13 to 15 beds. STC Urban will use the home to create a safe haven for children during times of transition while they are awaiting family unification, as an alternative to foster care.
2. Cress Housing will receive $ 686,000 over two fiscal years to go towards the purchase of three duplexes for Housing First families. Cress Housing is a subsidiary of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, and is an Aboriginal Housing Organization. For this project they have partnered with the Housing First program at White Buffalo Youth Lodge and their Housing First for families project.
3. White Buffalo Youth Lodge will receive $ 16,000 as an increase in budget towards Direct Client Costs – funding that the two case managers can use to pay for essentials as Housing First families move into housing from homelessness. White Buffalo Youth Lodge is also receiving $ 34,000 in capital funding to build a meeting room off their front entrance. This will primarily be used to meet and serve families who are homeless or at risk.
“It’s easy to credit ourselves for our personal success and forget that at the foundation was a safe and stable living environment,” said Tribal Chief Felix Thomas. “For those who live in survival mode, it’s enough to live daily, let alone set goals for healthy living. We are grateful for the support from HPS funding. These contributions will help lessen the worry about how to get by and help children and families set their sights higher. We are grateful for the support that HPS has provided for these projects.”
Related:
Two Saskatoon agencies that fight homelessness receive funding for renos
Saskatoon’s strategies to fight homelessness receive federal funding
"The announcements today are excellent examples of people and organizations in Saskatoon coming together to build a better future,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “These exciting and important projects will help some of Saskatoon’s more vulnerable citizens by creating a sense of community and offering valuable support. I would like to offer my thanks to all of the partners who have invested time and money into this work. In bringing together groups interested in and passionate about housing, the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership has once again demonstrated the power of collaboration, and our city is stronger because of it.”
“The Government of Canada is proud to support organizations like Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP),” said the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “SHIP’s noteworthy dedication to preventing and reducing homelessness is exemplified in the timely projects being carried out by organizations like STC Urban First Nations Services Inc., Cress Housing Corporation and White Buffalo Youth Lodge. Every segment of our society must be treated with dignity and respect and be given the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. Our government is committed to addressing the needs of Canada’s homeless population and to helping Canadians lift themselves out of poverty.”
Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and the Community Advisory Board on Saskatoon Homelessness (CAB-SH) approved funding for these projects.
“Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) continues its commitment to move children and families out of homelessness and into stable housing,” says Shaun Dyck, Executive Director of SHIP. “These projects will increase STC’s capacity to serve those at risk or experiencing homelessness. Increasing housing capacity is a key priority in the Saskatoon Homelessness Action Plan.”