The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for
Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, recently
attended an American national conference to discuss solutions to end
homelessness. Fresh from the conference,
held in Washington, DC, July 28-30, Minister Skinner shared his thoughts
on the issue.
"We can work together to find solutions to end
homelessness � the first step is to believe it can be done," said
Minister Skinner. "I firmly believe the best approach is to come
together, to listen and learn from everyone who is in this struggle with
us. There are strategies out there that work, and building partnerships
and sharing what we know is how we�ll find the solution."
The minister added: "Through the Poverty Reduction
Strategy, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to
building the necessary partnerships and investing in programs and
services that will reduce, alleviate and prevent poverty."
This past year alone, the Provincial Government has
made increased investments of nearly $50 million in a series of programs
and housing initiatives throughout the province. These initiatives,
delivered through Newfoundland Labrador Housing, can ultimately help to
prevent homelessness. These investments include a $25.5 million increase
over the next five years in Housing�s Modernization and Improvement
budget. The Provincial Government has also doubled the current
provincial contribution to the Provincial Home Repair Program to $24
million over the next six years. In addition, since 2003, under the
Affordable Housing Program, the province has committed over $24 million
to 46 private and non-profit sector groups to create 484 homes for
low-income households province-wide by 2010.
The conference, which is the largest and most
comprehensive annual event of its kind in North America, was hosted by
the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The alliance, a leading voice
on the issue of homelessness in the United States, is a non-partisan,
mission-driven organization that works collaboratively with the public,
private and non-profit sectors to build capacity. This approach leads to
stronger programs and policies that help communities achieve their goal
of ending homelessness. Minister Skinner was invited to meet with Nan
Roman, president of the alliance, to exchange strategies and approaches
regarding homelessness.
Canada�s presence at this conference has been steadily
growing in recent years, with delegates from the Canadian National
Homelessness Secretariat as well as the provinces of British Columbia,
Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador who attended this year�s
conference.
Minister Skinner was accompanied by Newfoundland
Labrador Housing�s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
Len Simms. There were also a number of other provincial representatives
from community-based supportive housing providers in attendance, as well
as advocates representing Stella Burry Corporation, Choices for Youth,
and Homelessness Advisory Committees throughout the province.
The agenda was filled with a range of topics directly
related to this province�s efforts to address housing and homelessness
here at home. Topics included: Public and Private Partnerships in
Housing Development; Ending Rural Homelessness; Building and Engaging
Community; Developing Integrated Housing; Engaging the Private Sector;
and Financing Housing Development.
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