Released on December 18, 2001
The Salvation Army in Regina will be better able to meet the needs of the
homeless and those living in unsuitable conditions, as a result of
partnership projects with the Government of Canada and the Province of
Saskatchewan.
Natural Resources Canada Minister Ralph Goodale, on behalf of Labour
Minister and Federal Co-ordinator on Homelessness Claudette Bradshaw,
announced almost $400,000 in federal funding under the National
Homelessness Initiative (NHI) to aid in renovations to The Salvation Army's
Waterston Centre men's hostel in downtown Regina. This funding complements
$1,086,360 provided in 2001 through the Residential Rehabilitation
Assistance Program (RRAP), which is cost-shared by Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Province of Saskatchewan. The province
administers RRAP in Saskatchewan.
Also participating in the announcement with the Salvation Army in Regina
were Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ron Osika; Regina
Mayor Pat Fiacco; Corporate Representative of Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation Daniel Messette; and Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army
Major Bill Blackman.
Waterston Centre is receiving a total of $322,608 for renovations to the 25-
bed short term residence part of the facility. The Government of Canada is
providing this funding through the Supporting Communities Partnership
Initiative (SCPI) component of the National Homelessness Initiative.
The Salvation Army is also receiving $75,000 in federal funding through the
Youth component of the National Homelessness Initiative to add a four-bed
youth unit in Waterston Centre.
"These projects are clear examples of the Government of Canada's commitment
to working with local partners to develop and implement successful ways of
addressing homelessness in Regina," Goodale said. "I commend the Salvation
Army for its continued hard work and leadership to meet the needs of
homeless men in the community."
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, and the Province of Saskatchewan
are providing funds under two components of the Residential Rehabilitation
Assistance Program (RRAP): $600,000 under RRAP for Persons with
Disabilities and $486,360 under Roominghouse RRAP.
"Provincial funding will be used for a variety of renovations to the
Waterston Centre to improve health and safety standards, as well as provide
accessibility to persons with disabilities," Osika said. "We are pleased
to assist with this important initiative."
"The Salvation Army Waterston Centre is pleased to be partnering with the
Government of Canada, Province of Saskatchewan and the City of Regina to
provide a user friendly facility bringing real help and new hope to the
less fortunate, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," Major Blackman said. "It
is our desire to provide safe, comfortable surroundings in which we
endeavour to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the less
fortunate. At present we minister to men ranging in age from 16 to 86.
The renovations will provide more secure housing for the younger guests and
greatly improve the comfort level for all that use our facility. We are
most grateful to the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan
for their support in helping us meet the financial needs of these
renovations."
The Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative is working
toward making a difference in addressing this issue by using a community-
based approach to help reduce and prevent homelessness.
Funding for the initiative was provided for in the February, 2000 federal
budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
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For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness
Initiative, visit our web site at www.hrdc.gc.ca/homelessness.
For more information on the Province of Saskatchewan's Residential
Rehabilitation Assistance Program, visit Web site at:
www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/housing/list_programs.shtml.
For more information, contact:
Evelyne Power Reid David Klug
Human Resources Development Canada Minister Bradshaw's Office
Regina Phone: (819) 953-5646
Phone: (306) 780-3989
Cell: (306) 535-5217
Brian Miller Captain Ken Percy
Municipal Affairs and Housing Public Relations Director
Regina The Salvation Army
Phone: (306) 787-0531 Phone: (306) 757-3111
Mary Anne Kenney
Marketing and Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Phone: (403) 515-2903
