Supportive Living Community Partnership Program Making
a Difference in the Fight Against Homelessness

Several organizations within the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network (NLHHN) are in a better position to fight homelessness today. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Lead Minister for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, announced the details of all remaining funding for 2010-11 Supportive Living Community Partnership Program (SLCPP) projects this morning at a forum that was held by the network in St. John’s.

An initiative of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the SLCPP provides funding to community-based organizations so they can develop comprehensive housing supports. These supports are specially designed to address the needs of people who face multiple challenges in accessing and maintaining stable housing, and they respond directly to specific housing issues that have been identified in a given community. Support services may include eviction prevention, home finding services, and outreach assistance to vulnerable people.

“During my recent visits to supportive housing projects that were funded through our program, I had the opportunity to see first hand how our investments are helping our community partners develop innovative projects that make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Minister King,. “Housing and homelessness emerged as a foremost issue during the 2010 Poverty Reduction Strategy consultations. A key part of the Provincial Government’s response has been to substantially increase our investment in the program so that we could support new projects that can help create stability and provide support for people in vulnerable circumstances.”

Major 2010-11 investments in supportive housing that have been funded through the SLCPP include $605,000 provided to Choices for Youth to support 14 supportive housing units for youth in the Lilly Building; $350,000 for the St. John’s Status of Women Council to sustain eight supportive housing units for single women at Marguerite’s Place; and, $499,400 for Stella Burry Community Services to support operations at the Brian Martin Housing Resource Centre.

“The Supportive Living Community Partnership Program has provided key funding to support ambitious projects that can help change the lives of vulnerable people,” said Kimberly Yetman Dawson, Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network. “Issues surrounding housing and homelessness are complex in nature, and housing support services are critical to enhancing positive outcomes. The Provincial Government understands this need, and through this program has become a strong partner with the community organizations that can develop such services.”

In total, Minister King announced funding for 14 new projects to round out Supportive Living Community Partnership Program investments for 2010-11. The projects are based in regions throughout the province, and represent an overall investment of approximately $840,000. These diverse initiatives focus on extending regional outreach services, providing training and professional development, building capacity among community-based organizations, and sharing best practices..

“I look forward to using our increased funding for this program to create many more supportive housing services with our community partners,” said Minister King. “People who face challenges that can include addictions, mental health issues, and difficult personal experiences need specific supports to overcome the barriers they face in securing housing. I am confident our ongoing collaboration with community-based agencies will help develop these needed supports and create positive and enduring change in our province.”

The Supportive Living Community Partnership Program began in 2009 with a budget of $1.2 million, which was doubled in 2010 to $2.4 million, and doubled once more to $4.8 million through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador. Community-based organizations are advised that a call for proposals will soon be issued for 2011-12 program funding.

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BACKGROUNDER
2010-11 Supportive Living Community Partnership Program Projects

The following investments are in addition to those announced for Choices for Youth ($605,000), St. John’s Status of Women Council ($350,000), and Stella Burry Community Services ($499,400).

2011 06 07                                                                             9:25 a.m.