DARTMOUTH, NS, Aug. 12,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, Minister Sean Fraser and Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor announced a federal
investment of more than $6.7
million to support two projects as part of the new Veteran
Homelessness Program (VHP).
Through the Ground Support for Veterans project, Veterans
Emergency Transition Services Canada (VETS Canada) will work with
Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This includes
providing rental supplements, as well as working with them to
ensure they can access any services they need. The project will
also help connect Veterans to medical assistance and provide moving
costs and temporary accommodations. The goal of Ground Support for
Veterans is to help transition them into stable homes and care for
their mental and physical health, while helping them strengthen
skills such as financial management. Additionally, it focuses on
developing a network of relationships with landlords and
communities that can help facilitate permanent homes. VETS
Canada will deliver these services
across Ontario, Quebec, New
Brunswick, Prince Edward
Island, Newfoundland and
Labrador, and Nova Scotia, complementing services provided
by other partners.
For the second project, the Landing Strong Cooperative Ltd. will
provide Veterans in Nova Scotia
with wrap-around services such as financial assistance, working
with them to identify their needs, and ensuring they can access the
appropriate services. This will help meet their needs today, while
ultimately ensuring that they can find safe and stable homes.
Through the $79.1-million VHP, the
federal government will partner with organizations across the
country to provide rent supplements and mental health support to
Veterans. Additionally, it will support research on Veterans'
homelessness and help organizations increase their capacity to
serve those in need.
Addressing homelessness is an essential part of Canada's Housing Plan and this program will
help do that for Veterans who have served our country courageously
and selflessly.
Quotes
"Veterans have served and sacrificed for our nation, and we owe
it to them to ensure that they have a safe and affordable place to
call home. The Veterans Homelessness Program, and the two projects
announced today, will help them receive the stability and support
they deserve."
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"Veterans have bravely served our country, both at home and
abroad. They deserve a safe, affordable place to live. The Veteran
Homelessness Program is the latest milestone in our ongoing efforts
to end chronic homelessness and ensure Veterans and their families
have the support they need, where and when they need it."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans
Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
"We're partnering with good organizations like VETS Canada and
Landing Strong to better support Veterans who may slip through the
cracks of existing support systems. We're always stronger when we
work together, and we're proud to support these organizations who
take care of Canadian Veterans by working tirelessly to end Veteran
homelessness."
Darren Fisher, Member of
Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour
"VETS Canada is thrilled to
receive this funding from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Canada. It allows us to continue our work of supporting Canadian
Armed Forces and RCMP Veterans who are homeless or at risk of
becoming homeless. Those who have served our country are important
members of our communities and they have sacrificed so much. We
believe that we, as do all Canadians who are in a position to help,
have an obligation to support the men and women who wore the
uniform when they are in need. This funding allows us to do just
that."
Debbie Lowther,
Co-founder/CEO, Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada
(VETS Canada)
"Landing Strong provides a safe place and community for those on
the journey of recovery. With the safety net in place allowing
stability in terms of basic needs, injured Veterans will be able to
access our intensive day treatment programs at a pace and level
that is comfortable for them. It's hard to talk about one's
injuries and process past trauma if there is uncertainty about
where to sleep, and how to feed the family. With these funds, we
can remove that level of concern, allowing people to immerse
themselves in an unimpeded journey of recovery and self-care."
Dr. Belinda Seagram, Founder
and Executive Director, Landing Strong Cooperative
Ltd.
Quick facts
- The Veteran Homelessness Program provides funding to projects
under two streams:
-
- Services and Supports Stream – $72.9
million for rent supplements and wrap-around services, such
as counselling and treatment for substance use.
- Capacity Building Stream – $6.2
million for research and improved data collection. This
stream also helps organizations increase their capacity so that
they can deliver tailored programs.
- Through the Veteran Homelessness Program, VETS Canada is
receiving $5,199,168 and Landing
Strong Cooperative Ltd. is receiving $1,511,200 through the Services and Supports
stream.
- According to Census 2021, there were an estimated 461,240
Canadian Veterans. It is estimated there are about 2,600 Veterans
experiencing homelessness.
- Budget 2024 invested an additional $6
million over three years, starting in 2024-25, to Veterans
Affairs Canada for the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund (VFWF). A
portion of the funding will be allocated to organizations and
initiatives that support Veterans' health and employment, as well
as women, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans.
- To date, the VFWF program has supported 28 projects to
address Veteran homelessness, representing an investment of
$9.8 million.
Associated links
- Veteran Homelessness Program
- Reaching Home: Canada's
Homelessness Strategy
- Canada's Housing Plan
- Canada's National Housing
Strategy
- Budget 2024 (canada.ca)
- Housing and home life - Veterans Affairs Canada
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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities