REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN—Men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and recovering from addictions will continue to benefit from an improved transitional housing facility in the community of Regina. Mr. Tom Lukiwski, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs, and is helping those seeking to break free from the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Mr. Lukiwski. “We are pleased to support the Oxford House Society in its efforts to provide more comfortable and safer facilities where men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Regina can get the support they need to overcome their addictions.”

The Oxford House Society will receive $24,200 through the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy, and $29,500 through the federal Urban Aboriginal Strategy, to purchase furniture and supplies, such as beds, computers, and kitchen and cleaning supplies, for its transitional housing facility called Oxford House. As a result, the facility will be able to provide a much better environment for men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. Oxford House, which is a self-supportive and addiction-free residence, provides up to six individuals at a time with housing and peer support.

“The financial support of the federal government has been a key factor in helping to ensure the successful opening of our first house, which is planned for the fall of 2010," said Mr. Jim Richards, speaking on behalf of the Oxford House Society of Regina Inc. Board of Directors.

In September 2008, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $1.9 billion over five years, until 2014, for housing and homelessness programs for low‑income Canadians. This commitment gives the Government the flexibility to work with the provinces and territories and municipalities, and with charitable organizations, to develop ways to improve the effectiveness of federal spending in the area of housing and homelessness.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan has built on these investments by making an additional one‑time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, and by making available up to $2 billion in loans to Canadian municipalities over two years for housing‑related infrastructure improvements. The Government’s investments are creating jobs, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for many Canadians. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The availability of safe and stable housing and related supports is an important element in addressing homelessness and helping individuals who are homeless achieve greater self‑sufficiency and a better quality of life. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy emphasizes longer‑term supportive and transitional housing by focusing on a housing‑first approach to help people make the transition out of the cycle of homelessness. The Urban Aboriginal Strategy in Regina provided the initial funding to this project, providing the opportunity to leverage other partner funding.

For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.

Further information about the Urban Aboriginal Strategy can be found on the following website: www.inac.gc.ca/ai/ofi/uas.