NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister announces additional support for Indigenous peoples living in urban centres and off reserve

May 21, 2020Ottawa, Ontario As COVID-19 continues to affect Canadians across the country, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are also facing health, social, and economic challenges. The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples have unique needs, especially those who are separated from their families and communities. On March 18, the Government of Canada announced... Continue Reading →

May 21, 2020 0

In The News: May 8-14, 2020

Feds top up 'Reaching Home' funding to help homelessnessMay 7, 2020The money is to be used to reduce overcrowding in shelters, purchase supplies and materials to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus and increase the frequency of cleaning with disinfectants in high traffic areas.https://www.saultstar.com/news/local-news/feds-top-up-reaching-home-funding-to-help-homelessness Shutdown of tent cities a chance to change housing... Continue Reading →

May 15, 2020 0

UPDATE: Reaching Home Reserve Fund (Deadline May 22, 2020)

On March 18, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada will be providing Reaching Home with an additional $157.5 million to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. While the Department moved quickly to distribute the majority of COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Funding as fast as possible, a portion of funding... Continue Reading →

May 15, 2020 0

In The News: May 1-7, 2020

Temporary shelter offers homeless Inuit in Montreal protection from COVID-19May 1, 2020The shelter, located in the Little Burgundy sports centre, has 40 beds.https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/temporary-shelter-offers-homeless-montreal-inuit-protection-from-covid-19-infection/ 1 dead after fire at homeless encampmentMay 1, 2020City says it has monitored encampment sites and removed dangerous material since start of COVID-19https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fatal-fire-homeless-encampment-bloor-mount-pleasant-1.5552147 'I'd rather sleep on the street': Homeless cancer patient... Continue Reading →

May 8, 2020 0

In The News: April 24-30, 2020

SPOTLIGHT: Thirty local homelessness agencies receive $10M in federal fundingApril 26, 2020End Homelessness Winnipeg issued a call for proposals for funding in early November. By the deadline for applications on Jan. 3, 76 applications were received, totaling $29 million in requests, reflecting the significant level of need in the community. https://ottawasun.com/news/local-news/thirty-local-homelessness-agencies-receive-10m-in-federal-funding/wcm/f34c4a24-a112-433f-b949-89b4f003b372 The governments of Canada and... Continue Reading →

May 1, 2020 0

UPDATE: Point-in-Time Counts

What you need to know: Point-in-Time (or PiT) Counts were scheduled to take place in March and April, as they do every year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, counts were postponed.5 communities were able to successfully complete their count before the crisis took hold. Rescheduling: Let ESDC know by September 25, 2020 what the new... Continue Reading →

April 30, 2020 0

Local responses to COVID-19 in the homelessness sector

British Columbia: City of Nanaimo takes measures to protect people experiencing homelessness during pandemicApril 2, 2020City to provide additional water sources and washrooms, council directs creation of food planhttps://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/city-of-nanaimo-takes-measures-to-protect-people-experiencing-homelessness-during-pandemic/ Homeless vulnerable to COVID-19 need help from governments, advocates sayMarch 17, 202011 hand-washing stations would be opened on Tuesday throughout the Downtown Eastside.https://www.kelownanow.com/news/news/National_News/Homeless_vulnerable_to_COVID_19_need_help_from_governments_advocates_say/ Frontline volunteers bring... Continue Reading →

April 28, 2020 0

In The News: April 17-23, 2020

Toronto says 30 homeless people diagnosed with COVID-19April 14, 2020Mary-Anne Bédard, the head of Toronto’s shelter department, said that in recent weeks, the city has moved 1,000 homeless people out of crowded shelters and into hotel rooms, new emergency shelters and a small number of public housing units.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-toronto-says-30-homeless-people-diagnosed-with-covid-19/ Housing is health: Coronavirus highlights the dangers... Continue Reading →

April 24, 2020 0

In The News: April 10-16, 2020

Front-line health staff seek housing to isolate and keep their families safeApril 9, 2020Health-care workers worried about bring COVID-19 home are using a new website to connect with property ownershttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/healthcare-staff-housing-covid19-1.5528581 Vancouver hotel opens for homeless people who have to self-isolateApril 9, 2020A hotel in Vancouver is the city’s first private space converted into housing for... Continue Reading →

April 17, 2020 0

COVID-19 Resources in Indigenous Languagues

Public service announcements about COVID-19 from the Government of Canada – available in 19 Indigenous languages https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1583781906998/1583781926813

April 16, 2020 0