Released on July 8, 2002
The local group Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. celebrated the officialopening of Infinity House, its new supportive housing facility today.
Thanks to a partnership involving the Government of Canada, the Province of
Saskatchewan and CUMFI, Aboriginal women and their children, who are
homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have a new place to turn to for
help.
Participating in the grand opening were Federal Labour Minister and Federal
Co-ordinator on Homelessness Claudette Bradshaw; Saskatchewan Justice and
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Axworthy on behalf of Social Services
Minister Glenn Hagel; Saskatoon Mayor James Maddin; and CUMFI President Bob
McLeod.
"The Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.'s commitment to establishing the
appropriate services for those who are homeless in the Aboriginal community
is evident in how quickly they have brought this facility to life,"
Bradshaw said. "We are pleased that our partnership with CUMFI and the
Province of Saskatchewan will help to ensure that Aboriginal women and
their children will have access to a safe haven that protects them from
having to endure an unsafe living environment. Together we are making a
difference in ways that are responding to those most in need here in
Saskatoon."
"The Province of Saskatchewan congratulates the Central Urban Métis
Federation on the opening of Infinity House," Axworthy said. "We are
committed to ensuring safe, secure shelter for all residents, and we are
pleased to partner with the Federation and the federal government on this
worthy initiative."
Infinity House, at 127 Avenue Q South, is opening its doors only six months
since funding was announced for this project. The building houses 12
transitional housing units, three emergency accommodation units and a
service office.
The project was developed through CUMFI's Métis Community Homelessness
Initiative. Funding partners involved in this project were the Government
of Canada and the Clarence Campeau Development Fund.
The Government of Canada contributed $532,065 through the Urban Aboriginal
Strategy. A further $63,200 was committed through the Shelter Enhancement
Program (SEP), which is cost-shared by Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation and the Province of Saskatchewan. SEP is helping to have a
positive impact at the community level, by assisting in repairing,
rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and children as
well as youth who are victims of family violence. The province administers
SEP in Saskatchewan.
The Clarence Campeau Development Fund provided a further $100,000. This
fund, supported through Saskatchewan gaming profits, is designed to provide
financial assistance to Métis individuals and communities in Saskatchewan
for economic and small business activities.
"The grand opening and name unveiling of CUMFI's transitional home is the
first phase of a multi-phase plan towards creating self-sufficiency and a
healthy community for the Métis people of Saskatoon," McLeod said.
Mayor Maddin said that the housing facility will have "more than a roof."
He also added "I congratulate the partners in providing much needed
programming in addition to shelter. This initiative represents another
success for Saskatoon's leading edge social housing program."
CUMFI is a non-profit organization designed to promote Métis heritage,
culture and the economic, educational and social well-being of the Métis
community in Saskatoon. CUMFI provides and implements educational
programs, economic development, social housing, recreational initiatives
and other such activities that support Métis people in their efforts to
become more independent.
The National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) works in partnership with
community organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to
help Canada's homeless people by bringing together various partners to
encourage the development of local solutions that work to address
particular homelessness needs and issues. Through this co-ordinated
approach, the following programs are available to support communities
across Canada: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative; Urban
Aboriginal Strategy; the youth component of the NHI; the Surplus Federal
Real Property for Homelessness Initiative; and Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation's Renovation and Conversion Programs, as well as the Shelter
Enhancement Program.
The National Homelessness Initiative is making a difference in addressing
this issue by encouraging the development of local solutions to help
alleviate homelessness. Funding for the Initiative was provided for in the
December 2001 federal Budget and is built into the existing fiscal
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 CMHC's and the Province of Saskatchewan's Shelter
Enhancement programs, visit the Saskatchewan Social Services Web site at
www.gov.sk.ca/socserv/housing/programs/list_descriptions.html
For more information, contact:
Brian Miller David Klug
Saskatchewan Social Services Minister Bradshaw's Office
Regina Ottawa
Phone: (306) 787-0531 Phone: (819) 953-5646
Evelyne Power Reid Daniel Messett
Government of Canada Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Regina Regina
Phone: (306) 780-3989 Phone: (306) 780-7933
Kelly Pruden
Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 955-2540