Federal Government Invests to Combat Homelessness Among Women Veterans in the National Capital Region

CHELSEA, QC, December 13, 2024 /CNW/ – Federal government partners with The Pepper Pod and invests nearly $950,000 in a project that will help combat homelessness among female veterans in the National Capital Region.

This announcement was made by the MP Sophie ChatelFounder and CEO of The Pepper Pod Sandra Perron, and Program Director at The Pepper Pod Joanne Bilodeau. The project is funded by the Capacity Building component of the Homeless Veterans Program.

With the support of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, this project called “Connect-Hers” aims to help women Veterans who are experiencing or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

More specifically, the project will offer employment within The Pepper Pod to female veterans who have left the Canadian Armed Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and who wish to continue serving their country. These women will have the opportunity to be hired by the organization to serve as a liaison to homeless veterans.

Ultimately, this project will connect women veterans in the Pepper Pod network with other women veterans in the National Capital Region who are currently experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, to ensure that they have access to the resources and services they need.

The Pepper Pod will draw on the experience of its members and partner organizations to promote the project and connect with local women veterans. The project is expected to last until 2028.

The VHP provides research, housing assistance and much-needed services to of Canada Veterans experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Veterans have served our country courageously, and they deserve a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

Quotes

“Better understanding the unique challenges women veterans face is critical to ensuring no one is left behind.” Today’s investment will help The Pepper Pod support women veterans experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness, to ensure they receive the support and opportunities they deserve.

Sophie Chateldeputy of Pontiacon behalf of the Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“Over the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of witnessing The Pepper Pod’s impactful work to build a strong network and provide critical resources to women veterans. This new initiative will strengthen these efforts by providing women Veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness the support and services they need to move forward in life.

The Honorable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense

“The term ‘Pepper Podding’ is a military maneuver designed to cover one’s partner while advancing on the enemy. That’s precisely what we do at The Pepper Pod: we lean on each other in difficult times of our lives. Now is the time to apply this same philosophy to women veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They are our sisters in arms.

Sandra Perronfounder and CEO of The Pepper Pod

“The launch of our Connect-Hers initiative is an important step in recognizing women veterans who have served our country. At The Pepper Pod, we believe every veteran deserves a place to call home, a foundation of dignity, stability, and security. We hope to connect them with those who can provide these essential services. »

Joannie Bilodeaudirector of the “Connect-Hers” program at The Pepper Pod

Quick facts

The federal government is investing $949,671 in this project as part of the Capacity Building component of the Homeless Veterans Program.
The Homeless Veterans Program helps veterans who are experiencing or at imminent risk of becoming homeless by obtaining and maintaining housing and resolving underlying issues.
The Homeless Veterans Program funds projects under two streams:
- Services and supports component – $72.9 million for rent supplements and wraparound services like substance abuse counseling and treatment.
- Capacity Building Component – $6.2 million for research and improvement of data collection; increase the capacity of organizations to offer tailored programs.
The Capacity Building component of the Veteran Homelessness Program aims to support research on veteran homelessness and build capacity in the homeless services sector to help service providers respond to needs of veterans across the country. By focusing on improved data collection and tailored interventions, these projects will help provide comprehensive support and ensure no veteran is left behind.
According to the 2021 census, there are approximately 461,240 Canadian veterans. It is estimated that approximately 2,600 veterans are homeless.
The Homeless Veterans Program is part of the of Canada The National Housing Strategy (SNH), a 10-year strategy, $115 billion-more that will give more Canadians a place to call home. The program also contributes to of Canada Housing plan.
- The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments and ongoing engagement with the public and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with many different Canadians, including people with lived experience of housing need.
As part of the 2024 budget, the government is granting an additional sum 6 million dollars over three years, starting in 2024-2025, to Veterans Affairs Canada for the Veterans and Family Well-being Fund. Part of the funding will be dedicated to projects aimed at Indigenous veterans, women and 2SLGBTQI+ veterans.

Related links

SOURCE Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For further information (media only), please contact: Sofia Ouslis, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, (email protected); Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: (email protected); Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, Email: (email protected); Isabelle Arseneau, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Email: (email protected); Sandra Perron, founder and CEO, The Pepper Pod, 819-319-8000, (email protected)