MP John Aldag Applauds the Government of Canada's Initiative to Help Prevent and Reduce Homelessness by Launching Two calls for Proposals

September 26, 2016

Today, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City applauded two calls for proposals by the Government of Canada under the Innovative Solutions to Homelessness funding stream of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). The two calls for proposals are seeking projects with innovative approaches and ideas that aim to prevent and reduce homelessness, particularly among Indigenous Canadians, youth, women fleeing violence and veterans. Both
calls open September 26, 2016.

The call for proposals for Microgrants is open until October 21, 2016. Stakeholders and organizations are invited to apply for small-scale project funding of up to $25,000. Projects will focus on exploring effective and innovative practices, tools or initiatives that prevent or reduce homelessness in Canada.

The call for proposals for Contribution Projects is open until November 14, 2016. Stakeholders and organizations are invited to apply for funding of between $25,000 and $500,000 for large-scale pilot projects that aim to test innovative and promising interventions and practices to prevent or reduce homelessness in Canada.

On June 2, the Government of Canada confirmed its commitment to helping prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. By investing an additional $111.8 million in the HPS over two years, the Government is taking measures to provide direct support and funding to Canadian communities. More than $12.5 million of that new funding is being invested in the Innovative Solutions to Homelessness stream, including in the two calls for proposals launched today. This will allow a wide range of organizations and stakeholders to develop and test innovative approaches to prevent and reduce homelessness.

“Cloverdale-Langley City has many organizations that help families and individuals by giving them hope and dignity. Despite progress in the prevention and reduction of homelessness across the country, it is difficult to find lasting solutions. We need innovative solutions to meet the needs of different groups of homeless, including young people, women fleeing violence,
Aboriginal Canadians and veterans. Today, I encourage all eligible organizations and citizens of Cloverdale-Langley City to present a proposal for innovative projects. Your vision and your ideas are exactly what we need to achieve our goal”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

Further Information: 
Funding: Innovative solutions to homelessness
Homelessness Partnering Strategy
Budget 2016

Backgrounder

Difference Between Call for Proposals for Contribution Projects
and Call for Proposals for Microgrants

Homelessness Partnering Strategy

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 designated communities in all provinces and territories, as well as to Indigenous, rural and remote communities across Canada, to help them address homelessness.

Through Budget 2016, the Government of Canada is investing an additional $111.8 million over two years in the Homelessness Partnering Strategy to provide communities the support they need to help prevent and reduce homelessness, including Housing First activities, better emergency response services, and supports for youth, women fleeing violence and veterans. More than $12.5 million of that new funding is being invested towards the Innovative Solutions to Homelessness funding stream.

Since the launch of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefitted from education and training opportunities; over 34,000 have received help to find work; more than 6,000 new shelter beds
have been created; and the program has helped place over 82,000 people in more stable housing.

Innovative Solutions to Homelessness funding stream

The Innovative Solutions to Homelessness funding stream is delivered nationally and supports the development of innovative approaches to reducing homelessness—particularly among Indigenous Canadians, youth, women fleeing violence and veterans.

Funding can be used to support activities in three key areas:

• community-based innovative projects to reduce homelessness and/or the cost of homelessness;
• building strategic partnerships with key stakeholders; and
• testing and/or sharing tools, social metrics and research findings geared towards homelessness.

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca