'Let us return that service to you': Unhoused military and RCMP veterans to get housing help
$78M going to veterans and ex-RCMP officers in Canada facing housing challenges
The federal government is putting over $78 million into a program to help veterans and ex-RCMP members who are grappling with housing issues.
Prince Edward Island MP Bobby Morrissey was in Summerside on Friday to announce the Veterans Homelessness Program.
The funding includes nearly $500,000 over four years for the John Howard Society of P.E.I. to support the delivery of the program on the Island.
The program will help veterans and former Mounties with anything from rental subsidies and damage deposits to money for rent payments that are in arrears.
Bobby
Morrissey, MP for P.E.I.'s Egmont riding, says there are at least 2,600
veterans and ex-Mounties facing homelessness across the country. (Tony Davis/CBC)
"We're told that the number would exceed at least 2,600 people across Canada as a whole that are experiencing challenges finding adequate, safe housing," Morrissey said.
"My hope is that we don't have a situation where we have even one veteran or ex-RCMP member that is facing homelessness."
'Wrap-around services' too
The Veterans Homelessness Program will be funded through 2027-28, and includes $72.9 million for rent supplements and "wrap-around services" like counselling and treatment for substance abuse.
An additional $6.2 million will fund research on veteran homelessness and organizations across the country that serve those who are unhoused or at risk.
Conor Mullin, president of the John Howard Society in P.E.I., said the organization has already identified at least two people in the province with housing challenges.
These are people who have put their lives on the line to defend our country, stand up for our freedoms, our values, to defend our communities.
— Conor Mullin, John Howard Society
"It's an absolute shame. These are people who have put their lives on the line to defend our country, stand up for our freedoms, our values, to defend our communities," Mullin said.
"They've done so much for us, and then to think that after that — and the sacrifices that they've made — that they're experiencing this, it's an absolute disgrace and a shame."
He said the federal funding will help organizations across the country further uncover the extent of the problem in each province.
'It hurts'
As for veterans, at least two of them say Ottawa's program will help take the burden off people who may be wary of asking for help because they're struggling with mental health issues, addictions and pride.
"It's likely that there will be some veterans that will fall through the cracks," said Jean Berube, a veteran from Summerside.
Jean
Berube, left, and LeRoy Gamble, air force veterans from Summerside,
P.E.I., say it's hurtful to see their fellow vets struggling. (Tony Davis/CBC)
"The military sort of sets you up to take care of yourself and look after yourself. So it's very hard for some members to reach out for help."
Berube's fellow air force veteran LeRoy Gamble said it's hard to see people from that community struggling.
"It hurts," Gamble said. "A lot of people from the service are experiencing PTSD, and that makes them back off from help sometimes. That can be looked after now, I think."
Mullin said the John Howard Society is aware of the array of challenges that veterans and former RCMP members face.
He hopes this program will give them one less thing to worry about.
"Members of the veterans and military community, they certainly do have a lot of pride and they should have a lot of pride in all that they've done. But sometimes pride can make it difficult to either seek help or accept help when it's offered," Mullin said.
"You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. You have done us a great service and now let us return that service to you."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Tony Davis
25 Comments
David Belmont
Why are we saying certain career choices you make or made now makes you mor3e special then the average working person? Why can't we have programs that are for everyone not based on career choices. These two career choices boith come with apension after avery short career so now they are more special then the average hardworking Canadian in any other job. It is amazing how the Government wishes to say these two career choices are more special then any other careers. It is truly appalling!!!!
Jeremy Jones
Reply to David Belmont
they are the heroes of the imperial dream that makes them more important than you - but are they really more important - appearances say not
Jeremy Jones
Reply to Jeremy Jones
they get told how grateful everyone is for their 'service' and then promptly forgotten as the are sent away with their hero labels
MR Cain
Reply to David Belmont
Not many of us are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Belmont
Well Put Sir
dawn mills
I would also like to add wow, that research funding sure jumped from a million to six. Prediction, the research funding will skyrocketed, so will bussiness funding for external services, and the cops and municipalities in Alberta will do their best to fire and evict..to get more funding...which is a certainty, are we going back to only certain types of service gets employment, even though the regular public can access it..with less qualifications? Oh wait don't forget prolonged waits for welfare and denials based on service or excess financial that regular public public don't do. How else can this program be supported by municipalities, schools and gov? Geeze they use to give you employment and education, now they just want the funding. Prediction, the estimates are too high, or they will make it up for funding and no one to a few will actually get support to maintain. This govs got to go.
dawn mills
I just find it confusing, why the rcmp are sharing funding. Should there not be separate funding? However, everyone should get help. With saying that it does get to the point, that you simply feel the government is stalking you. Honestly, you can't win. You get hired..then it's oh your a vet we can fire you, you have supports..or let's evict them they can figure it out..and then finally heaven forbid you go to the food bank one time like everyone else, or voice an opinion...then it's...ha ha a vetern we must engage. You never retire from this job...and that's just the government. How about this, while this service is good, why doesnt the government increase veteran employment in fed, or actually specifically give funding for bussiness..instead of training..not helpful. Promote veteran small bussiness. There is no other field the gov goes hey, let's experiment on our previous employees, there is a contract..it's not for life and the regular population isn't required to be experimented on to recieve assistance. Why can people just not go to welfare and get a top up? Also, not everything is mental health and addiction, even so the regular population can actually have addiction issues and still recieve welfare without the government prying into their lifestyle. It's not pride, its personal freedom.
Gerrit Lafleur
$6.2m. to fund research ? ... when it comes to greasing the machine , the lpc is the undisputed oiler .
John McLane
Our military members had to serve over seas and our RCMP have had to deal with the failures of our politicians. If our politicians were doing their job much of these problem would not be or have happened. So first those politicians should give up at least half of there golden pensions and they should loose all there perks until every member of the Military and RCMP have a roof over their heads and food in their fridges. These military and RCMP put their life on the line along with their family supports them unlike the politicians who only fill their bank accounts and live like king on the backs of the people and those who serve.
Frank Blacklock
This really isn’t much. $7500 a year per veteran and a big chunk of it will go to bureaucracy and political friends.
Gerrit Lafleur
Reply to Frank Blacklock
The grits have it down to a fine science .
John Collins
Path e T ic…
Scott Avery
You need to be the right sort of person to get adequate help in Canada. Why not do this for everyone? Answer: because it would necessitate raising taxes on wealthy people.
John McLane
Reply to Scott Avery
This is happening because of political failure at home and abroad so maybe these politicians should forgo their pension and give it to those military and RCMP vets who are suffering because of the politicians failures.
Ralph Steinberg
I get it for the military. I do not get it for the RCMP, who should have saved their money etc.
Mike Hamilton
Content Deactivated
Will Pierre PolLIEvre be opposed to this like he is everything else?
Albalita Rose
Reply to Mike Hamilton
Does it lack common sense?...then what ever you are talking about then yes... yes he would...
Alan Bishop
Reply to Mike Hamilton
Good Grief
Mike Hamilton
Reply to Alan Bishop
He's opposed to children eating lunch, diabetics getting insulin, surely he will be opposed to helping veterans too.
MR Cain
Reply to Mike Hamilton
His mentor did reduce veterans' offices, slashed 900 jobs, $1 billion not spent by ministry to help veterans, clawed back millions of dollars annually from more than 4,000 disabled veterans and their families, and silenced and smeared veterans who criticize.
Rosco holt
Reply to MR Cain
If he forms the next government, he will continue his mentor's work attacking vets.
MR Cain
Reply to Rosco holt
and deregulate the oil sector, promote privatization, and cater to the wealthier.
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to Alan Bishop
He is against the reducing prescription costs too.......but is being quite now....just look what he said a year ago.
Rosco holt
Reply to MR Cain
Deregulation isn't just for the oil sector. Catering to wealthier we have the prime example with Higgs and Smith.
Rosco holt
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Of course he is against lowering prescription cost. It too much common sense and his donors from big Pharma won't be happy.
Rosco holt
The country & politicians should be ashamed for to way they treat our vets and those who made sacrifices for the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment