GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN SHELTER SPACE IN THUNDER BAY

July 15, 2019

Thunder Bay (Ontario) – Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.

Today in Thunder Bay, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a $3 million financial commitment from the federal government for the Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to the investments of other partners, including the City of Thunder Bay, this project will provide 46 new shelter/supportive beds and 20 new transitional units. The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre will provide a place to call home for men with addictions and mental health issues, emergency shelter, as well as offering beds for parole clients who are finishing their sentences and re-establishing themselves. In addition, the new Journey to Life program will be introduced to help men transition from homelessness to independence with community supports.

The Salvation Army Thunder Bay social services have been in operation since 1917 and has been on the Cumberland Street North site since 1971. Throughout the years, the Salvation Army Thunder Bay provided residential services, community and family services, emergency disaster services and have helped many people in the area.

Quotes

“The National Housing Strategy has an ambitious goal of reducing chronic homelessness by at least 50%. The Salvation Army Thunder Bay is an important partner in achieving that goal. Working together with diverse partners will ensure that all Canadians have a place to call home.” – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“We, at The Salvation Army, believe that every person has strengths – that they have something to offer and we want to help them find out what that is and to start using it for the good – not only of themselves – but of those around them – to make our community stronger and safer and a great place to live.” –  Major Lori Mitchell, Executive Director, The Salvation Army Thunder Bay

“The supports provided by the Salvation Army in our community are extremely important. Receiving federal funding goes a long way towards the completion of their new Centre, and in turn, the ability to offer more services to our citizens.” – Bill Mauro, Mayor of Thunder Bay

Quick Facts

• The project includes 20 transitional units and 46 shelter/supportive beds.
• The new building aims to achieve energy savings of 32% and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 30% compared to the National Energy Code for Buildings 2015.
• The project will achieve over 24% of accessibility. The shelter beds are also designed to be easily converted to accessible if needed by the tenants.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

Associated Links

• As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit placetocallhome.ca.
• To find out more about The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre, visit www.satbcars.com