October 22, 2002

Successful pilot project to help those at risk of becoming homeless in Kingston to be extended

KINGSTON, ONTARIO —Town Homes Kingston is set to expand its Eviction Avoidance Program thanks in part to a Government of Canada contribution.  The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed the announcement of $58,779 in funding under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative, of the National Homelessness Initiative, by the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Federal Coordinator on Homelessness.  Town Homes Kingston will be able to continue helping those at risk of homelessness through early eviction intervention and prevention initiatives.   

“There are many social, economic and health factors that put individuals and families at risk of eviction, which in turn can place them in danger of becoming homeless,” said

Mr. Milliken.  “I am pleased that this partnership will build on the success of Town Homes Kingston’s Eviction Avoidance Program, which has proven to be an effective method for helping those at risk to maintain their tenancy.”   

Town Homes Kingston’s Eviction Avoidance Program helps to ensure that those at risk of homelessness have access to necessary support services, including life skills training, credit and debt counseling, family support, crisis intervention and prevention, and information on tenancy rights and responsibilities.  These supports are available through one-on-one work with the client or by referrals to appropriate services.  

The Government of Canada’s contribution will help Town Homes to continue to provide these services while enhancing their outreach work into the community, public awareness campaigns, increasing accessibility of services offered, and creating and maintaining homelessness statistics and information.

“The funding from HRDC for our homelessness prevention worker has provided the opportunity to prove our long standing theory that the availability of support services to households in need can prevent homelessness in a majority of cases,” said Cherilyn Mishell, General Manager, Town Homes Kingston.  

The National Homelessness Initiative is working towards making a difference in addressing homelessness by encouraging the development of local solutions to this issue.  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, contact: