Mustard Seed receives $12 million for housing
(L-R) Sam Breakey, Executive Director, The Mustard Seed Edmonton; Diana Schwenk, Director of Development, The Mustard Seed Calgary; the Honorable Ed Stelmach; Myron Krause, Executive Director, The Mustard Seed Calgary
March 16, 2010 marked two important milestones for Albertans experiencing homelessness.
It was one year ago that the provincial Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs introduced Alberta's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, the first of its kind in Canada. To mark the occasion, Premier Ed Stelmach announced $12 million in funding for the Mustard Seed to develop 112 units of housing for homeless men and women.
The housing grants will provide new supportive housing initiatives in Calgary and Edmonton, as well as expanded facilities at the Mustard Seed's Mountain Aire Lodge near Sundre AB. All the housing will be developed using a "Housing First" approach.
"Housing First" recognizes that previously homeless people cannot overcome their circumstances unless they first have safe, secure accommodation. Once housing is established, supportive services ranging from educational or job skills upgrading, to healthcare interventions, to life-skills such as budgeting and social interaction are provided to help make the transition to independent living a successful and rewarding experience.
The Mustard Seed calls its philosophy of safe, secure housing with integrated support services "Housing Plus."
"The Mustard Seed is privileged to partner with the Province to provide lasting, long-term solutions for homeless men and women across the province.," said Mustard Seed Chief Development Officer Diana Schwenk. "Providing a place to call ‘home' is the only real solution to helping the homeless rebuild their lives."
The next step for Mustard Seed planning teams in Edmonton and Calgary is to determine appropriate locations for supportive housing in each city. "The Mustard Seed has always been about creating healthy communities, and we're dedicated to continuing that tradition. To do that we need the help and input of our entire community," said Schwenk. "We believe these investments in decent, safe housing will make a positive contribution to the neighbourhoods where they're established."
The Mustard Seed expressed appreciation to Premier Stelmach and to Minister Jonathan Denis and his staff for their guidance and support throughout the funding application process. "Now the real work starts," said Schwenk, "We look forward to seeing the real benefits these housing solutions will bring to everyone in the communities where we live and work."
