Winnipeg, MB - The City of Winnipeg is providing financial support through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) for capital construction and service delivery to Centre Flavie-Laurent Centre (CFLC), an organization that assists people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Winnipeg. The City administers HPS funding in Winnipeg on behalf of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
Today, Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz joined other local dignitaries at an event celebrating the grand opening of the CFLC’s new facility in St. Boniface. This event represents the first announcement of HPS funding by the City since entering into an agreement with Service Canada to administer delivery of HPS funds in Winnipeg.
Centre Flavie-Laurent Inc. distributes at no cost furniture, beds, clothing, household items, etc. to people in need. The Centre has a donation pick up service and also delivers items to clients homes as required. The Centre keeps an inventory of all the goods each client receives.
“I’m proud to be part of a Government that is committed to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate,” said Shelly Glover, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface. “There are people in our community who need a helping hand, and I am pleased to see Centre-Flavie Laurent Centre expand its operations and offer services to those who need it most.”
“Community organizations such as Centre-Flavie Laurent Centre play an integral role in our city and I congratulate everyone involved for ensuring that this important not-for-profit entity has the ability to deliver essential services to our citizens who rely on the services they provide,” said Mayor Katz.
“This is both an important and exciting step for Centre Flavie-Laurent Centre,” said CEO Gilbert Vielfaure. “The new premises will greatly improve our ability to serve the 300-500 families in need that come to us every week looking for basic life essentials. Overall we will be able to help more people and have a greater positive impact on the environment through the recycling/reusing of goods."
Capital funding was used to replace two rooftop HVAC units, and to reconstruct the interior of the 8,300 square foot building to include open warehouse space for furniture and household goods, office space, kitchen and bathroom facilities, and a laundry room.
In addition to capital funding, service delivery funding is being provided to employ a transportation assistant to pick up donated items, deliver client-requested items, and assist clients with selection of furniture and household goods.
The total cost of the two projects, (the Capital Construction Project and the Transportation Assistant Project) is estimated at $437,387. The proponent has been approved for a total of $243,887 ($193,219 for the Capital project and $50,668 for the Transportation Assistant) from the City through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Other funding is being provided by the Winnipeg Foundation ($15,000), Centre Flavie-Laurent ($25,000), in-kind contributions ($52,500), with the remaining funds provided through organizations under the umbrella of the Catholic Health Corporation of Manitoba.
Background
On April 25, 2012, the City of Winnipeg entered into an agreement with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to act as the Community Entity in Winnipeg for administration of Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) funds. The agreement provided a total of $11,514,688, to be split evenly between fiscal years 2012-13 and 2013-14 ($5,757,344 per year).
The original agreement was later amended to include funding for eleven additional projects that were already in the approval process by Service Canada. The total additional funding to be administered by the City is $2,345,120, which will be added to the $11,514,666 in the original agreement for a new total of $13,859,808. Funding will continue through the contract period ending March 31, 2014.