Trust fund for homeless

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The Edmonton Housing Trust Fund announced Oct. 25 that it would contribute $2.8 million to combat homelessness in Edmonton. It is expected that 154 housing units will be built, which will bring the number of new housing units for homeless people to 335. A couple of Aboriginal projects are among the additional beneficiaries of the fund.

Amisk Housing Association is slated to receive $480,000 to purchase eight duplex units for long-term supportive housing for Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Partners and Youth Society has been promised $436,500 to assist them to purchase two apartment buildings to house youth who are participating in society programs.

Tracey Unterschultz, executive director of Aboriginal Partners and Youth Society, said "The Trust gave (us) the opportunity to help and reach out to the individuals of Aboriginal and Metis descent who are experiencing homelessness. The Trust will be part of the achievement of reaching out to the homeless individuals who oftentimes feel hopeless."

Other agencies the Trust Fund will contribute to are Boyle Street Community Services Cooperative and the Bissell Centre ($88,460) to manage the Family Shelter Network; the Greater Edmonton Foundation Housing for Seniors will get $133,808 to renovate Kiwanis Place; and Urban Manor Housing Society, which serves hard-to-house people, will get $1.67 million towards a new emergency shelter.