The federal government commits $3.7 million to help remote communities gain access to services for those facing unstable housing
The federal government is providing $3.7 million in funds to help rural communities in Alberta address homelessness.
The funds, provided through the government’s Reaching Home program, were awarded to 11 rural communities in Alberta.
Each community will use the money to best fit the needs of their citizens, Dee Ann Benard, executive director of the Alberta Rural Development Network, said in a news release.
“The chosen projects demonstrate committed communities and organizations applying home-grown solutions to their unique issues,” she said.
ARDN has long advocated for more funding to address rural homelessness in the province.
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With the help of Family and Community Support Service centres in Alberta, the organization was able to determine the scope of rural homelessness in the province.
Through surveys, ARDN determined that nearly 3,000 people in 20 communities, or about one percent of the population, face unstable housing.
The conservative estimates suggested about 15,500 people in rural Alberta have been potentially living in unstable housing conditions, meaning they are experiencing high housing costs, poor home quality and overcrowding, or are homeless.
The problem has often been overlooked, said Jonn Kmech, director of homelessness initiatives at ARDN.
In the news release, he said rural homelessness isn’t as apparent as homelessness in cities. In small communities, those who are homeless often couch-surf, live in overcrowded or unfit homes, or live in vehicles.
Because rural homelessness is more difficult to identify, it’s been hard for organizations to access funding. With the survey, however, they have been able to show it’s a problem that needs addressing.
“While these programs will provide much-needed relief to several new communities and allow some long-time projects to expand their focus, there are many towns and smaller cities across the province that need help but did not receive funding due to a lack of available resources,” he said.
Benard said ARDN had 33 applications asking for more than $12 million, but the organization was able to provide only $3.7 million for 11 communities.
However, she said she’s looking forward to seeing the work that results from the funded projects.
“We are already seeing communities learning from each other and working together to address the needs of people who are homeless or at risk,” she said.
“We look forward to working with these project proponents and seeing the results of their good work.”
What’s being funded
- $459,106 to Foothills Centre in Fort Macleod: The Foothills Centre provides social detox for individuals with addictions who have completed the detox program but are waiting to access in-patient treatment.
- $300,862 to Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre: The Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre will be operating a mat program as a temporary emergency shelter for six months of the year, assisting people experiencing homelessness in the area. The local homeless coalition will be looking for a permanent shelter.
- $387,772 to Fort Macleod & District FCSS: The Fort Macleod Housing and Community Connects project aims to connect individuals to housing and appropriate services in the region.
- $225,840 to Municipal District of Greenview FCSS: The Meadows to Mountains Homelessness Prevention Project will provide supports for individuals and families within the Municipal District of Greenview. Clients will assist in the development of a personalized success plan and offer additional supports.
- $404,805 to Mountain Rose Women Shelter Association in Rocky Mountain House: The Rocky & District Housing Support Services Project will provide supports to individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by transitioning to more stable housing that is appropriate and safe.
- $454,547 to Vulcan Regional Food Bank Society: Vulcan’s Initiative to Achieve Better Living Environments (VIABLE) Homelessness Project will provide emergency shelter, food and connection for people requiring permanent housing.
- $204,300 to Camrose Open Door Association: The Camrose Open Door Association has a rural outreach worker to connect with 11 to 24 year olds, helping ensure that young people throughout east-central Alberta are connected to supports.
- $290,052 to Hinton Adult Learning Society: Freddy’s Resource room has offered a space where homeless community members can come to access support services.
- $359,450 to Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Banff: Project HOME will offer housing supports and case management for individuals and families in the Bow Valley experiencing homelessness or precarious housing.
- $22,500 to the Municipal District of Opportunity: The Municipal District of Opportunity will be conducting a homelessness estimation count in their region using ARDN’s guide.
- $337,500 to Lakeland Centre for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Cold Lake: Programming aims to connect FASD clients who are at imminent risk of homelessness as an intermediate step between emergency shelter and supportive housing for up to three months.
- $256,000 to Strathmore Overnight Shelter: The Strathmore Overnight Shelter offers a space that provides emergency accommodation and collaborative support services for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in the Strathmore area.
