$1.7 Million Set Aside To Help Province’s Homeless
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 14:21
Community outreach groups in Saskatchewan are getting $1.7 million in support from the federal government.
The announcement was made this morning in Saskatoon.
Under the terms of the deal, the money is going toward 12 projects aimed at fighting poverty and homelessness.
Conservative MP Ed Komarnicki says the government is well-aware of the link between mental health issues and not having a home.
He says that’s why his government has targeted projects that can help people on an on-going basis.
The YWCA in Prince Albert is receiving $410,000 to help expand its homeless shelter on 15th Street East.
Executive director Donna Brooks says they want to put nine new beds into the facility to help address specialized cases — specifically, people who are “hard to house” and who frequently need the YWCA’s help.
Brooks says the need for the beds is overwhelming.
She notes that from between November 2007 and November 2008, 370 people used their shelter.
Another project receiving money is Gabriel Housing in Regina.
It will receive $480,000 to help create housing units for Aboriginal people afflicted with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.