Feds pull shelter funding

Page 2

The Federal government is withholding nearly $5 million in funding that was destined for Aboriginal homeless shelters, causing the closure of many essential services and programs utilized by Aboriginal people.

This comes at a time when Claudette Bradshaw, federal Minister of Multiculturalism and Status of Women announced the opening of a new homeless shelter in Vancouver in May. The new Covenant House funding was provided through a non-Aboriginal federal funding program.

The very same department that funded Covenant House is withholding $5 million needed to salvage Aboriginal community services. This has the United Native Nations concerned over Human Resources and Development Canada's lack of commitment in funding emergency shelters and essential services for homeless Aboriginal people in southern British Columbia.

In response to the issue, an Aboriginal Homeless Committee, consisting of more than 20 individual groups, was created to help direct how government allocated Aboriginal resources are dispersed. It is hoped this will help meet the needs of the Aboriginal homeless community in the Lower Mainland.

Shelters that are affected include the Aboriginal Mother's Centre, Anderson Lodge (women's shelter) and the Helping Spirit Lodge. These provide a variety of services to recovering addicts, single mothers, the elderly and many other Aboriginal and non-aboriginal clientele.