FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS HELP CREATE QUINT MALE YOUTH LODGE

Released on September 4, 2003

The Quint Development Corporation has received funding from the federal and provincial governments to help create the Quint Male Youth Lodge, a supportive and safe emergency shelter for young males facing homelessness in Saskatoon.

Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians today announced funding of $350,000 under the Urban Aboriginal Strategy component of the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative (NHI). This funding, announced on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Federal Coordinator on Homelessness, will help Quint Development Corporation create ten supportive bed facilities and short-term housing.

"Ensuring that our young people are off the streets and being given the opportunity to succeed is essential to their quality of life," Minister Goodale said. "On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to commend the Quint Development Corporation for their dedication to improving the lives of our neighbours."

The Government of Canada's contribution has enabled Quint Development Corporation to purchase, renovate, and furnish a building to be used as a young men's hostel, with capacity for 10 youth. This hostel will provide safe, secure short-term housing for young males, and wherever possible, will be linked to education, training, and employment opportunities.

The Honourable Glenn Hagel, Minister of Community Resources and Employment, announced provincial government funding of $324,385 to meet the hostel's operating costs for 2003-2004.

"The services provided by Quint fit with our Department's strategy of building independence for Saskatchewan residents," Minister Hagel said during the opening of the facility in Saskatoon. "It is great to see so many stakeholders working together to provide the basic need of shelter and to encourage and support education, training, and employment."

Jacquie Barclay, chairperson of Quint's Board of Directors also expressed how the community will benefit from this initiative. "The rejuvenation of the property in conjunction with a community-supported project will have a positive, stabilizing effect on the local neighbourhood." According to Terry a resident at the hostel, "It's a good place. They help you find jobs, get back to school, or help you work through problems." Barclay added, "In addition to this project and our ongoing Affordable Housing Program, Quint is planning to provide other much-needed affordable housing options for youth in Saskatoon. Quint and its partners recognize that there is a huge need for youth housing in Saskatoon and we are already planning for similar youth housing initiatives in the near future."

By working in partnership with community organizations, the private and voluntary sectors and other levels of government, the NHI is bringing all stakeholders together to develop local solutions that work to address particular needs and challenges faced by homeless people. Through this coordinated approach, the following programs are available to support communities across Canada: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative; the Regional Homelessness Fund; the National Research Program; the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System; and the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Fund.

The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Building on the successes achieved, the February 2003 Budget announced $405 million for three years to continue the federal government's commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada.

Since the NHI was launched, the Government of Canada has supported 25 projects, with a total of almost $7.4 million to alleviate homelessness in Saskatoon.

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For More Information, Contact:

Cathy Frasz Government of Canada Regina Phone: (306)780-6981	Len Ususkin Quint Developoment Corporation Saskatoon Phone: (306)978-4041
Kim Oliver Minister Bradshaw's Office Phone: (819)953-5646	Herman Hulshof Government of Saskatchewan Regina Phone: (306)787-0916