Canada announces support to those experiencing homelessness and women fleeing gender-based violence during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

Quotes

“Canadians experiencing homelessness are at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19. We must ensure that the homeless-serving sector is prioritized. I believe this investment in Reaching Home will go a long way to effectively supporting those who need it most.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“We’ve asked Canadians to self-isolate and to stay home in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But not every home is safe. These investments support hundreds of women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and Indigenous women’s organizations across the country. Our goal is to support the organizations who provide vital services to survivors of gender-based violence so they can prevent and respond to COVID outbreaks, stay safe and continue being a lifeline to those who need them most. To those experiencing domestic violence and gender-based violence: speak to someone you trust and seek help. You are not alone.”

– The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P., Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and security of Indigenous peoples in Canada is my sole focus, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable. Indigenous women and children fleeing violence should get the support they need, when they need it. This is why we are making sure that First Nation communities have the resources they need to prepare for and address the needs of the women and children facing violence during the COVID-19 pandemic and help manage or prevent outbreaks in First Nation shelters.”

– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada

Quick facts

• There are over 15,400 emergency shelter beds distributed in more than 400 emergency shelters across Canada.

• Of the $157.5 million in Reaching Home funding, Canada’s largest cities will receive allocations in the following amounts: Ottawa ($7,213,954), Toronto ($22,169,573), Hamilton ($2,548,685), Vancouver ($13,522,453), Winnipeg ($2,936,322), Calgary ($13,517,143), Edmonton ($7,572,510), Halifax ($1,557,674), St. John’s ($979,047), Moncton ($669,162). In Quebec, this Reaching Home funding will be administered through a new Canada-Quebec Agreement that respects the jurisdiction and priorities of both governments.

• These new funds will flow directly to shelters through contribution agreements and will provide them with additional operational funding to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities.

• The operational funding will be delivered through ISC’s Family Violence Prevention Program. The amount for each shelter will be determined using a formula that includes factors such as on reserve population, remoteness, and number of beds.

• Visit the Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre (KC) for access to timely and relevant information, evidence, resources and research in a single platform. The KC also provides a searchable database, which brings together existing data and evidence on content related to gender-based violence.