History of GMHSC
The National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) was launched in December 1999 to reduce and prevent homelessness in Canada. A key component of the NHI was the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), which provided funding and support to community-based projects and programs working towards NHI goals. SCPI brought together all levels of government and the community to collaborate and partner on the development and implementation of local Community Plans to address the issues of homelessness, both in the immediate and long term.
GMHSC was established to provide leadership in the development of the Community Plan for the tri-community region of Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe.
In late 2000, the Greater Moncton Steering Committee on Homelessness (GMHSC) was established to provide leadership in the development of the Community Plan for the tri-community region of Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe. During the first few months of 2001, the GMHSC worked closely with Human Resource Development Canada (now called Service Canada) and a research team from W. Morrison & Associates in Fredericton, NB to gather information from service providers, key stakeholders and homeless people about the assets and gaps in services in the region. Following an extensive consultation process, a Community Plan was developed in May 2001 that identified key priorities for project funding under the SCPI.
In early 2003, the federal government announced its intention to continue to fund SCPI, and communities were asked to update their Community Plans accordingly. The GMHSC again provided leadership. In the spring of 2003, it organized a Community Forum on Homelessness to bring together 70 representatives from more than 50 groups and agencies, including service providers, non profit organizations, churches, government agencies, and key stakeholders. Key priorities were identified, such as increasing the number of shelter spaces, increasing the number and availability of adequate and affordable housing units, developing partnerships among those who work with homeless people or those at-risk, reducing social exclusion and building awareness. For more detail, see the GMHSC Community Plan 2003.
In April of 2007, the government announced a new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), to build upon the NHI by focusing on a "housing-first" approach to homelessness in Canada. By working with communities, provinces and territories, partners in the private and not-for-profit sectors and Aboriginal partners, the Strategy encourages an effective alignment of federal/ provincial/territorial investments to help homeless individuals and families to access the range of services and programs that they need to move towards self-sufficiency.
In summer of 2007, approximately a dozen GMHSC members submitted proposals for projects to the Community Advisory Board, a body made up of community members that makes recommendations to the HPS for funding. For more information on projects funded for the 2007-09 period and key priorities to eliminate homelessness and poverty in Greater Moncton, see the GMHSC Community Plan 2007.
Original members of the Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee (2003) (from left) Major Bill King, Salvation Army; Louise Leonardi, John Howard Society; Laura Selig, New Life Mission; Rev. David Way, Community Chaplaincy; Sean Tobin, Mobile One Community Services; Kevin Silliker, HRDC; Christina Gutherie, YWCA and Debby Warren, AIDS Moncton.
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In the first year of operation, youth accessed the drop-in component of Youth QUEST 1,615 times. A total of 167 youth were first-time clients to MYR.Contribute
For more information on how to contribute to GMHSC or one of its member organizations, send us an e-mail at: Moncton.Homelessness@gmail.com