What's New in the Coalition
Plus: Partnerships, Reports & Programs
Letter from the Director |
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With Family Day quickly approaching, thoughts of family poverty in
Calgary and across the country are on my mind.
We know that children who live in poverty tend to do poorly in school and experience poor health. We know that families living in poverty face increased stress. We can do better... |
| Note from our Affordable Housing Chair |
We were recently delighted to see that after a year of hard work, the Calgary Committee to End Homelessness has released their 10-Year Plan... |
In the News |
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Low-Income Families in Calgary |
According to the 2006 City of Calgary’s Count of Homeless Persons:
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Did you know ... 80% of the recommendations made by the Poverty Reduction Coalition to the Province Task Force on Affordable Housing have been accepted in part or in whole. In recent months the province has announced:
- the establishment of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness
- a new initiative that will make crown land and surplus provincial land available for affordable housing projects
- increased allocations to rent support, increasing the initial $33 million allocated in 2007 Budget to $52 million to date
- legislative amendments that will allow surplus school land reserves to be used for affordable housing projects.
A collective voice and collective actions are proving to be the most effective ways to reach our goals. Your continued efforts on behalf of the Coalition will ensure continued success! Thank you for working with us to help make Calgary a great city for everyone.
Partnerships, Reports & Programs
Make Tax Time Pay has identified government
programs and benefits, and has partnered with local organizations to make
sure that this knowledge is passed on. This year, through Make Tax Time Pay
workshops, the Poverty Reduction Coalition in partnership with H&R Block
will educate low-income households and service providers about the benefits
that they or their clients could be accessing.
Read More...
Solutions at Work
The Poverty Reduction Coalition has partnered with Alberta Employment,
Immigration and Industry (AEII) and the Calgary Health Region to design and
implement two pilot projects that will find sustainable employment for two
populations facing particular barriers to employment.
Read More...
Community Child Care Capacity Building Pilot
In a third 12-month pilot project, the Poverty Reduction Coalition has
partnered with Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority and
Bowness Montgomery Family Day Home Association. Fifteen lone parents
currently receiving provincial government income support benefits will be
recruited and supported in their efforts to open their own day homes.
Read
More...
Cementing Our Relationship: Private Sector Involvement
in Affordable Housing
In the midst of current concerns about a lack of affordable housing in
Calgary, the Poverty Reduction Coalition has released a report celebrating
what has been done.
With funding provided by Alberta Real Estate Foundation and United Way of Calgary and Area, Cementing Our Relationship highlights affordable housing projects undertaken by Alberta builders and developers and their recommendations to encourage more involvement from within the private sector. Capturing lessons and experiences from the work already being done, this report endeavors to promote increased private sector participation in the production of affordable housing, and provides recommendations to all levels of government regarding key legislative changes that could facilitate further participation by the private sector. Click here to read the full report.