Fund will support creative, data-driven projects to prevent homelessness
In an effort to address the growing crisis of homelessness across Canada, the federal government has announced a $50 million fund aimed at supporting communities in developing projects to quickly create housing solutions.
Announced by minister of housing Sean Fraser at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) Conference, the fund will support targeted projects focused on both immediate needs and long-term solutions for individuals currently facing homelessness.
The $50 million fund is one part of the government’s homelessness strategy, introduced in the 2024 federal budget. The Reaching Home program has invested $4 billion over nine years to address homelessness across urban, Indigenous, rural, and remote communities.
Additional funds include a $250 million allocation announced in September 2024 to address urgent issues with encampments and unsheltered homelessness, and $79.1 million over five years for the Veteran Homelessness Program.
Through $50 million funding, CAEH will work directly with communities, providing personalized coaching and guidance on strategies that reduce homelessness. CAEH will also share successful approaches with other communities nationwide to maximize impact.
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Fraser announced that CAEH would receive an additional $1.3 million under the Veteran Homelessness Program. This funding will support CAEH’s collaboration with 26 communities across Canada, all working toward the goal of eliminating homelessness among Veterans.
Three communities, London and St. Thomas-Elgin in Ontario and Fort McMurray in Alberta, have already achieved “functional zero” Veteran homelessness, a milestone indicating effective systems are in place to respond to and resolve homelessness cases among Veterans.
Tim Richter, president and CEO of CAEH, emphasized that the fund will promote data-informed projects and partnerships, helping communities tailor their response to homelessness more effectively.
"As homelessness surges across the country, communities are struggling to respond,” Richter said in a press release. “This fund is designed to support the kind of data-driven, rapid cycle continuous improvement that's at the heart of all successful efforts to reduce homelessness. Taken together with new housing investments, we're hopeful we can begin to reverse the lethal trajectory of homelessness in Canada."
"The project led by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness project will meet communities where they are, build partnerships and share tried-and-tested practices to be there for Canada's Veterans," added Ginette Petitpas Taylor, minister of veterans affairs.
"Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. We will continue working with our partners, like CAEH, to tackle homelessness and provide Canadians in need with the support they deserve." Fraser said.
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