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NEWS RELEASE
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
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Today, the federal government and Regional Municipality of Niagara announced that an agreement to support people living without homes, including in encampments, has been signed as part of the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI). Through this agreement, the federal government will contribute $4.412,730 million in funding while the Regional Municipality of Niagara will match the federal funding of over $4.4 million over two years.
Funding will support the implementation of the region’s Community Encampment Response Plan. For the Municipality of Niagara, this funding will be used to support the implementation of Niagara’s Community Encampments Response Plan, allocating funding to the region’s three largest municipalities: St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland.
In total, the federal government has committed to delivering $250 million to support unsheltered homelessness and encampments through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI).
Additionally, the federal government is investing to support individuals experiencing homeless or at risk of homelessness, through the Reaching Home Fund in the amount of $36,545,119 through the designated community stream, and the Rapid Housing Initiative Fund, through the Indigenous Homelessness stream in the amount of $17,230,916.
Finally, to support immediate housing needs, the federal government has invested to create new units of permanent affordable housing as part of the Rapid Housing Initiative.
Housing provides stability and security and serves as the foundation for overall well-being. Everyone has a right to safe housing, regardless of their circumstances. Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to live.
Quotes
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines Chris Bittle:
" By working directly with communities like Niagara, we are empowering local leaders to implement solutions that meet their unique needs and create pathways to stability for those experiencing homelessness."
Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, Vance Badawey:
“Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. This significant federal investment in Niagara’s Community Encampments Response Plan will help address the urgent challenges of unsheltered homelessness and encampments in our communities. By expanding shelter spaces, transitional housing, and critical support services, we’re working to ensure that those experiencing homelessness have access to the resources they need to find stability and hope for the future.”
Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley:
“We know that the only true, long-term solution to homelessness is helping individuals find and maintain stable housing. This significant funding will help expand a wide variety of Niagara-wide services and supports that will help those most vulnerable in our community do just that.”