Homeless initiative saved again

At least 75 individuals and families in Prince Albert will have zero resources to turn to if Homes for the Homeless isn’t allowed to continue and that's very possible says program diretor Janice Henry.

She is the co-ordinator for Home for the Homeless, a joint initiative between North Saskatchewan River Metis Local # 269 and Jubilation Residential Centres Inc.

“Not only do we work with finding the home but we also work with incorporating other resources to ensure their individual long-term sustainability in the home is maintained. So we work with the client on an ongoing basis,” Henry said.

What started as pilot program has become a vital part of a battling homelessness in the city helping over 200 individuals and families since its inception.

In March, the program was saved from going under with a funding announcement that would keep things running for another four months.

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Now the program has been saved for a second time with funding from The Prince Albert Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation in Saskatoon.

The latest funding covers costs for one more month.

Henry said they joint management committee is so grateful for the donations that have come in but they really need to find a lasting funding source.

“Both provincial government do have to follow a process so of course we're waiting, applying for funding through the initiative we initially started with through the federal government …. We’ve outreached to other funding agencies as well,” Henry said.

“However in terms of our clients, a consistency of service delivery is a huge concern.”

Despite the constant searching for more permanent funding, Henry said there have been no hiccups in the service delivery so far.

“Our priority is to the homeless community of Prince Albert and we're going to do our utmost to work with the community, build and develop relationships, to provide support to our homeless people in our community,” he said.

Henry said the closure of this initiative would be very alarming for the homeless community.

sfroese@panow.com