CALGARY- The province is stepping up support for homeless Albertans, in an effort to get everyone off the streets for good.
On Thursday, the government announced an additional $60 million for outreach programs that help homeless Albertans, including $19.4 million for agencies in Edmonton.
The money will go to fund programs such as the Bissell Centres Homeless to Homes program, which provides wraparound assistance to 160 individuals and families who need permanent, affordable housing.
Edmonton’s Homeward Trust Foundation also received a $2-million grant that will go to creating 102 new supportive housing spaces for aboriginal Albertans with addiction and mental health issues.
In Calgary, $27.6 million in funding will go to outreach support service programs, a nearly $6 million increase from last year.
The funding will help provide permanent supportive housing programs and case management, as part of Alberta’s 10-year Plan to End Homelessness. The program finished its third year in March 2012.
Local agencies in Red Deer will receive $3 million for outreach support service programs, a $615,000 increase over last year. The funding will go towards programs like the Shelter Triage, which will administer a housing assessment tool for homeless individuals, as well as Housing First programs which help homeless individuals with addictions, medical and psychiatric issues.
“Homeless Albertans can focus on achieving their full potential when they have access to permanent homes and the supports they need,” said Dave Hancock, Minister of Human Services, in a statement. “We have made significant progress in ending homelessness in Alberta and the additional outreach funding will allow us to continue to give homeless and formerly homeless Albertans the opportunity to build fuller, healthier lives.”
With files from Karen Kleiss, Edmonton Journal
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.