A total of 725 people were homeless in Moncton, New Brunswick, according to the 2008 homelessness report card from the Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee. Among other items, the report notes that 30 people sleep on mats on the floor at one hostel every night, including pregnant women.
Homeless in Halifax: New report card…
A total of 1,252 people stayed in homeless shelters in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2008, according to the first-ever Halifax Report Card on Homelessness 2009, which was released today. The report, prepared by Community Action on Homelessness, provides a grim accounting of the poor health and terrible conditions facing people who are homeless in a community […]
Low-income Ontarians, and provincial economy get welcome boost from new investments
TORONTO: Provincial plans to speed up the Ontario Child Benefit and increase affordable housing investments mean that low-income Ontarians will have more money in their pockets and better homes. The announcement by the Ontario government earlier today – in advance of next week’s provincial budget – means that eligible low-income families will get an additional […]
Continue ReadingLow-income Ontarians, and provincial economy get welcome boost from new investments
Ontario makes substantial down payment on new provincial housing plan
Ontario has made a substantial down payment to meet the housing needs of tens of thousands of people who are precariously housed or homeless. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and housing minister Jim Watson have announced plans today to invest $624.5 million over the next two years in affordable housing initiatives. When combined with matching federal […]
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Day two of Canada’s national forum to reduce health inequalities…
Some highlights from day two of the national forum to reduce health inequalities: The Wellesley Institute’s Bob Gardner and Michael Shapcott joined with about 70 federal, provincial and municipal government officials, public health officials, academics, policy experts and reps from various organizations for a full day of planning to create a national action plan:
Continue ReadingDay two of Canada’s national forum to reduce health inequalities…
UK Commons: Reduce health inequality with smart policy
Health inequalities – such as the greater burden of illness and premature death faced by poor people compared to their wealthier neighbours – are critically important issues for governments to tackle, according to a powerful new report from the UK House of Commons Health Committee, published yesterday. Research from the Wellesley Institute, including Poverty Is Making […]
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Alberta announces $3.2b plan to end homelessness
The Alberta government has today released a dramatic plan to end homelessness in 10 years by committing $1.2 billion in capital investments and $2 billion in operating funding. The plan – based on the “housing first” approach (which provides immediate housing and then offers supports as required) – will lead to the creation of 11,000 […]
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U.S. housing funding: Good news, and still some shortfalls…
The U.S. federal government is committing almost unimaginable trillions of dollars in various financial packages (stimulus measures and federal budget). The latest analysis of U.S. affordable housing investments from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is mixed; there’s good news in some housing initiatives, and shortfalls in others. U.S. housing policy relies heavily on vouchers […]
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Happy International Women's Day – much work still to do!
As people around the world gather today to celebrate International Women’s Day – and there is plenty to celebrate – we also re-commit ourselves to ending the inequalities and inequities facing women in Canada and around the world. For instance, in his special report on housing in Canada that is being presented to the United […]
Continue ReadingHappy International Women's Day – much work still to do!
BC auditor confirms that province's homeless programs "not successful"
John Doyle, the British Columbia auditor, has just released a sobering review of homelessness programs that concludes that the provincial government “has not been successful in reducing homelessness. Clear goals and objectives for homelessness and adequate accountability for results remain outstanding. Government also lacks adequate information about the homeless and about the services already available […]
Continue ReadingBC auditor confirms that province's homeless programs "not successful"