The federal government has made a $2.7 million commitment to addressing homelessness in Kelowna.
The grant will be paid over the next five years to the Central Okanagan Foundation, to support projects that prevent or reduce homelessness.
Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Ron Cannan said four organizations will receive $739,000 over the next two years from the COF through this new funding initiative for specific projects:
· Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society to receive more than $150,000 to provide outreach services to help people access long-term housing and support services such as health care and mental health and addictions treatment
· Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna and District Branch to receive more than $185,000 to help people access the resources they need to find and maintain housing
· New Opportunities for Women Canada Society to receive more than $145,000 for its two programs that provide support for people recovering from addiction, abuse and exploitation
· Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubsto to receive more than $257,000 to provide individualized services to help youth who are homeless increase their self-sufficiency
Cannan said the Housing First program is the cornerstone of the federal government’s strategy to impact the lives of homeless individuals for the long term by first moving them into permanent housing and then providing additional support for underlying issues, such as addiction and mental health. The end goal is ensuring these individuals become self‑sufficient, fully participating members of society.
