REGINA — The federal government has announced funding aimed at supporting efforts to reduce and prevent veterans’ homelessness.
At an announcement at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 001 in Regina, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Jill McKnight announced a federal investment of $22.5 million in ten projects across Canada under the Veteran Homelessness Program — what the government describes as a national initiative to support veterans and community partners across Canada.
This is what the federal government describes as a national initiative supporting veterans and community partners across Canada.
“Every Canadian deserves safe, reliable and affordable housing, yet for too many this remains out of reach, including some of Canada's veterans,” McKnight said. “We know that veteran homelessness is a complex issue. It requires a co-ordinated, comprehensive response and this government's commitment to that effort is strong and unwavering.”
The Veteran Homelessness Program was launched in 2023 as part of the National Housing Strategy, McKnight said. She noted that his program helps those veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to find and keep stable housing.
She said $72.9 million is provided through their Services and Support Stream towards rent supplements and wraparound services like counselling and substance use treatment. The government are also spending $6.2 million through the Capacity Building Stream to support research, improve data collection and strengthen the ability of organizations to deliver tailored services to veterans.
“We know that there are some who face unique challenges, service-related disabilities and mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of traumatic brain injury, which can make it harder to find and maintain stable housing and employment.
"That's why community-led tailored solutions like this are so important.”
Roberta Taylor, provincial president of the Royal Canadian Legion — Saskatchewan Command, welcomed the federal funding, saying it will help those who had put their lives on the line to defend the country.
“The transition from military to civilian life can be challenging and it is a stark and unacceptable reality that some of our brave veterans find themselves in a state of vulnerability, including experiencing homelessness. One homeless veteran is one too many,” Taylor said.
Taylor called the ongoing funding a “significant step forward in our collective efforts to end veteran homelessness in Canada. This funding is already making a tangible difference on the ground. It is empowering dedicated organizations to deliver tailored veteran-focused service and direct financial assistance where it is needed the most.”
The Royal Canadian Legion — Saskatchewan Command’s Veteran Homelessness Program is among the ten projects being funded by the federal program, with just short of $800,000 going to Saskatchewan.
Co-ordinator for the Legion’s Veterans Homelessness Program, Paul Valiquette, spoke of how they are able to help veterans facing homelessness.
“We're able to help with first and security month rent, rent supplements, grocery cards, assist with utility arrears and payments, and wraparound services such as purchasing medical devices, criminal records checks, and employment assistance such as interviewing techniques and so much more,” said Valiquette.
Valiquette pointed to one instance at the start of the program when “we had a veteran relocated to Saskatchewan with only a backpack, some clothing, laptop and his military service card. The veteran stated that his wallet and his phone were stolen.” He said that they were able to find a permanent place for the veteran to live and purchase basic apartment setup items, and now the veteran has applied for and is receiving back benefits.
He also spoke of another veteran who was placed in a temporary apartment and provided grocery cards, and he was provided with a cell phone. They also covered his utility payments so his utilities could be turned on, applied for income supplement, and got a free bed and box spring mattress.
“We had everything in his apartment. So when he showed up in his apartment, he just could not believe it,” he said. The veteran was also provided lasagna for his first meal in his new apartment.
“By listening to the veteran, it was apparent that trauma was a major part or a roadblock in his recovery,” said Valiquette. The veteran was offered to take a trauma release course and Valiquette said the veteran understood that the effect on trauma played a major role.
“Today, the veteran is well with his assistance from VHP,” Valiquette said. “Since July and August of last year, VHP has improved the lives of 37 veterans in Saskatchewan [including] four females, 12 indigenous veterans. Currently, we're assisting a female veteran to gain permanent housing and another veteran who will be released from incarceration soon. We don't care where they come from, we just want to get them housed and properly set.”
As for how prevalent the homelessness situation is, McKnight said that since the homelessness program started in 2023 “we know that about there’s been a 10 per cent reduction in the first year of the program. And so that brought us down to about 1800 right now and we’re continuing to work with identifying veterans.”
As for what the root causes are of veterans homelessness, McKnight said for “each individual it can be a different circumstance.”
“I’ve met with some veterans across the country where PTSD was a factor. I’ve also met with some that we’re dealing with substance abuse and that has been a contributing factor and through programs like this with the wraparound support, we’ve been able to see them find permanent, staple housing and be able to address some of those challenges as well with those support.”
