Human Resources, Labour and Employment
June 29, 2011
Funding Announced to Support Housing and Homelessness in Corner Brook
Building on a Provincial Government commitment to help the most vulnerable members of society, the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Lead Minister for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, announced a $65,270 investment in the Corner Brook region today. The funding is part of the overall investment of approximately $840,000 to multiple community organizations announced recently from the 2010-11 Supportive Living Community Partnership Program.
"I am very pleased that this investment will help both the Community Mental Heath Initiative and Corner Brook Status of Women Council deliver the kinds of programs which have had a positive impact on children, families, and people who face housing and homelessness issues in Corner Brook and surrounding area,” said Minister King. “The Provincial Government recognizes that these organizations offer both knowledge and insight at the community level to ensure effective and relevant services are available to those who need them.”
The investment announced today will support the creation of a new housing support worker position that will be shared between the Community Mental Health Initiative and the Corner Brook Status of Women Council.
“The Provincial Government is well positioned to make positive and enduring change for persons with mental health issues, disabilities, and those who face barriers to secure housing,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board, and MHA for Humber East. “This announcement is indicative of our integrated approach to achieve inclusion, reduce poverty, and enhance opportunities for all people in this province.”
“I am pleased to see two great organizations in Corner Brook working in collaboration to provide assistance for the most vulnerable in this region,” said Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West. “This investment is another great example of the Provincial Government moving forward to develop partnerships with community-based groups that produce important housing and homelessness support.”
An initiative of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Supportive Living Community Partnership Program provides funding to community-based organizations so they can develop comprehensive housing supports that address the needs of people who face multiple challenges in accessing and maintaining stable housing. These projects respond directly to specific housing issues that have been identified in the Corner Brook area.
“The new housing support worker position is a vital role for the community,” said Jade Mahoney, Interagency Coordinator of the Community Mental Heath Initiative. “We are pleased to be a partner in this venture, as the need for affordable housing has been a priority focus for our organization for the past several years. We appreciate the Provincial Government’s support.”
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. A call for proposals will soon be issued for 2011-12 program funding.
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Media contacts:
| Bradley Power Director of Communications Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment 709-729-0753, 699-5707 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
Jade Mahoney Interagency Coordinator Community Mental Health Initiative 709-634-4117 cmhi.iac@gmail.com |
| Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898, 697-1424 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
Lary Wells Executive Assistant to Honourable Tom Marshall MHA for Humber East 709-637-2575 larrywells@gov.nl.ca |
2011 06 29 11:25 a.m.