Homelessness Action Initiative Launched

The City of Prince Albert, supported by the Living Skies Centre for Social Inquiry, in partnership with the Prince Albert Community Advisory Board on Homelessness seeks to develop and facilitate an actionable solutions initiative with key service and government leaders in north central Saskatchewan. The intended outcome is proper alignment of capacity and understanding required to implement promising solutions for preventing, intervening and mitigating the impacts of homelessness on individuals, neighbourhoods and communities. 

Brian Howell, manager of Riverbank Development Corporation and Mayor Greg Dionne spoke to media and stakeholders to launch the initiative today in downtown Prince Albert.

The purpose of this initiative is to mobilize multiple stakeholders, holding different perspectives, in a productive and meaningful dialogue around sector-specific solutions to the causes and consequences of homelessness. The initiative has already began with initial outreach to representatives of the different stakeholder groups (e.g., social sector, justice sector, municipal government, indigenous government, provincial government). Inputs from this outreach will guide the engagement and knowledge sharing process.

The initiative is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Reaching Home program and will be guided by representatives of community, business, health, social, safety, housing and advocacy sectors, as well as individuals impacted by homelessness. These advisors will work with initiative partners to identify relevant stakeholder groups; advise an approach and methodology to engage relevant stakeholder groups; support the research team in accessing stakeholder groups and related data; inform the process of mobilizing action teams to explore problems and solutions; provide guidance on reporting and dissemination of lessons learned in this initiative.

Quote:

"Homelessness is a complex issue that can only be tackled when we work together. The Government of Canada is pleased to fund community-based projects that encourage collaboration between local organisations, with the aim of   finding new, innovative solutions for preventing and eliminating chronic homelessness."

- Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Ahmed Hussen     

"We have a lot of work ahead of us and it will be a long journey to make lasting change. With the commitment of local stakeholders across all jurisdictions I believe change is possible. I'm looking forward to working with our dedicated partners and getting this work underway."

- City of Prince Albert, Mayor Greg Dionne

For media inquiries, please contact:

Brian Howell
River Bank Development Corporation
1350 15^th Avenue West
Prince Albert, SK S6V 5P2
(306) 763-4221
rbii@sasktel.net

Mayor Greg Dionne
1084 Central Avenue
Prince Albert, Sk S6V 7P3
306-953-4300
mayor@citypa.com