Funding announced to redevelop the
Wiseman Centre in St. John’s
Over $1-million in funding was announced today to redevelop the Wiseman
Centre facility for older males, aged 30-65. The funding
($1,118,000)
is being made available to the operators of the Wiseman Centre, the
Salvation
Army- Newfoundland and Labrador East Division, through the Government
of
Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative.
In addition, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
and Newfoundland
and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) will cost-share a $500,000
contribution
under the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing
Agreement,
and $240,000 under the Shelter Enhancement Program. Through NLHC, the
province
has also conveyed the Wiseman Centre property, valued at $396,000, to
The
Salvation Army. The Salvation Army will also contribute $739,658
through
a variety of funding sources; further in-kind support ($515,570) has
been
forthcoming from the corporate community. Additionally,
approximately
$600,000 per year will be provided by the provincial Department of
Human
Resources, Labour and Employment along with other contributions for
operating
costs.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable John Efford,
Regional
Minister and Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the
Honourable
Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing; Honourable Joan Burke,
Minister
of Human Resources, Labour and Employment; and Minister responsible for
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation; Major Raymond Rowe,
Newfoundland
and Labrador East Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army and Major
Jim Champ Assistant Chief Secretary for the Salvation Army Canada and
Bermuda
Territory. Mayor Andy Wells also brought greetings on behalf of
the
city of St. John’s.
“It is encouraging to see partners come together for
worthwhile projects
like the Wiseman Centre,” said Minister Efford. “The Government
of
Canada is proud to invest in helping people, especially those who seek
shelter and support as a result of very challenging
circumstances.”
Minister Burke said, “We will be able to better serve people
in need
as a result of the newly refurbished facility. I know it will be
welcomed by everyone concerned, and I want to thank everyone associated
with this important project. It’s a real example of partnerships
and I am pleased that my department is able to play a role in making
this
a reality.”
“This project we are celebrating today is a very important one
for our
city. It’s another example of the Salvation Army extending their
compassion and social service to people in difficult
circumstances.
Congratulations to everyone associated with this undertaking,” said
Mayor
Wells.
“This is a proud and significant day for the Salvation Army.
The Wiseman
Centre project, when completed, will provide a safe shelter with
appropriate
supports for older men in the St. John’s area. It’s a real need that
will
now be addressed,” said Major Rowe.
The funding from the National Homelessness Initiative and
CMHC, in partnership
with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is specifically
being
used to redevelop and provide 20 self-contained shelter units, and 10
supportive
housing units, for older males. The centre will be owned and
operated
by the Salvation Army, with operating support from the provincial
government’s
department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.
The Wiseman Centre was established in 1987 as an umbrella
organization
for shelters and safe houses in Newfoundland and Labrador. It
acts
as a liaison between shelters and government, and provides a
representative
view of shelter interests.
Backgrounder
The Wiseman Centre
Owned and operated by The Salvation Army, Newfoundland and
Labrador
East Division, the Wiseman Centre is the primary shelter for males aged
30 – 65. The project to refurbish the historic property meets the
identified
priority within the local community's homelessness plan of "enhancing
housing
options for vulnerable populations."
The objectives of the project are:
- To develop 20 self-contained, furnished shelter units with
shared
bathroom,
kitchen and recreational space operated by the Salvation Army in
partnership
with the provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment.
- To enhance housing and life skills opportunities for males
through
one-on-one
supports, with access to services offered through partnering agencies
and
other community services.
- To create 10 supportive housing units, particularly for men
suffering
with
mental illness. All common spaces and at least one housing unit will be
fully accessible.
- To provide supportive services through a staffing and
programming model
that will assist tenants to live as independently as possible.
- To assist and empower men living in both the shelter and
supportive
housing
in the development of basic life skills such as hygiene, cooking,
laundry,
budgeting — and where possible — employment readiness.
The activities to be undertaken at the Wiseman Centre include
renovating
the existing structure to accommodate 20 shelter units, as well as the
construction of 10 new transitional housing units. These activities
will
provide sustainable capacity and enable the Salvation Army to address
homelessness
by providing safe and secure housing arrangements for homeless men in
the
community. The Salvation Army will also be developing and implementing
a comprehensive continuum of supports and services to meet the needs of
the homeless male population using the facility.
For more information, contact:
Wayne Piercey
Regional Manager Communications
Service Canada
(709) 772-5346
Wanda Burt
The Salvation Army
Newfoundland and Labrador East Division
(709) 579-2022
Dawn Ring
CMHC
(709) 687-2194
Jenny Bowring
Corporate Communications, NLHC
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
|
