Medicine Hat ends chronic homelessness: Minister Sawhney

Minister of Community and Social Services Rajan Sawhney issued the following statement on Medicine Hat’s achievement to end chronic homelessness:

“Medicine Hat is the first city in Canada to end chronic homelessness. This is a remarkable achievement, and I want to acknowledge the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society and the many homeless-serving agencies in Medicine Hat for their passion, their hard work and commitment to reach this incredible milestone.

“Through a coordinated response, community organizations work together to make sure people are quickly connected to housing programs and receive the necessary wraparound supports they need to maintain their housing. Since April 1, 2009, Medicine Hat has successfully housed 1,323 individuals (995 adults, 328 children) through Housing First programs and has reduced emergency shelter usage by 64 per cent.

“Medicine Hat’s success is a remarkable accomplishment and highlights that Alberta is on the right path with the Housing First approach, which has helped nearly 20,000 people find permanent housing since it was first implemented in 2009.

READ MORE HERE