[homeles_ot-l] FW: Feds confirm three-year homeless funding extension, but freeze dollars at 1999 level- WI backgrounder:

[Lynne Browne]

Good news - HPI confirmed across Canada! Bad news - funding dollars
remain basically the same as when the program was launched in 1999.

Lynne Browne

Coordinator, Alliance to End Homelessness 

lbrowne at ysb.on.ca <mailto:lbrowne at ysb.on.ca> 

Office: 613-241-1573, ext. 205 (Temp. # )

Mail to: 147 Besserer St., Ottawa, ON K1N 6A7

www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca <http://www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca> 

 

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<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Alliance-to-End-Homelessness-
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on Twitter HERE @endhomelessOTT <https://twitter.com/endhomelessOTT> 

________________________________

From: nhhn-can-owner at povnet.org [mailto:nhhn-can-owner at povnet.org] On
Behalf Of Michael Shapcott
Sent: November 9, 2010 9:07 AM
To: Michael Shapcott
Subject: [nhhn-can] WI backgrounder: Feds confirm three-year homeless
funding extension, but freeze dollars at 1999 level

The federal government has officially confirmed
<http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/homelessness/program_update/index.shtml>
$134.8m annual funding for the national homelessness program over the
next three years. In September of 2008, the feds promised to extend the
funding for five years, but said they would review funding practices at
year two (fiscal 2010), so the decision to honour the 2008 promise is
good news. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada says that the
funding envelope for the 61 communities that receive most of the federal
homeless dollars 'will remain the same' until fiscal 2014. By that year,
federal funding for homelessness, low-income housing repair and the
Affordable Housing Initiative are planned to drop to zero, as noted in
the Wellesley Institute's Precarious Housing in Canada 2010
<http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/news/affordable-housing-news/new-repo
rt-precarious-housing-in-canada-2010/> .

With the federal government talking a hard line on spending in recent
months, there had been fears that homeless investments might be cut in
full or in part. News that funding will be maintained at the current
level for the next three years is very welcome, but the overall funding
envelope has remained basically the same since the program was launched
in 1999 - even as the number of communities has grown to 61.

There is no provision for the erosion in value of the dollars due to an
inflation rate of 25% since 1999. There has been no adjustment over the
years for increased needs as homelessness has grown more severe.

A key component of the federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) -
called the Supporting Community Partnerships Initiative (SCPI) under the
previous government - is that it is based on local homelessness plans
developed by community-based groups (or, in the case of Toronto, by
municipal officials in consultation with a community reference group).
In making the funding announcement, the federal government acknowledged
the 'successful partnerships' that have been created through HPS-SCPI
are a key strength of the national program.

The federal government has promised 'program enhancements', but hasn't
provided more details. These include:

*	greater support for rural and remote communities;
*	ensuring culturally relevant programming and services for
Aboriginal people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
*	developing linkages on mental health and homelessness;
*	increasing the relevance and dissemination of research;
*	reinforcing accountability for results; and
*	improving data sharing and collection.

***

 

Michael Shapcott | Director, Affordable Housing and Social Innovation |
Wellesley Institute 

45 Charles St E, Suite 101                    Tel: 416.972.1010 ext 231
Toronto, ON, Canada,  M4Y 1S2           Mobile: 416.605.8316  
E-mail:   michael at wellesleyinstitute.com

 

www.wellesleyinstitute.com

rigorous research. pragmatic policy solutions. social innovation.
community action.

 

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