Ottawa, August 24, 2010 – The Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) proudly presents Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs with the Gold award for the 2010 IPAC Innovative Management Award.
The Award recognized Alberta’s goal to end homelessness by 2019. It has shifted the role of government from managing the homeless through emergency shelter to ending homelessness by providing permanent housing and the support needed to break the vicious cycle that many fall victim to. The private sector and community-based organizations are working together to fund permanent housing for homeless a growing population in need.
The “Housing First” approach subscribes to the belief that clients cannot address fundamental causes of their homelessness without being first provided with access to safe, secure and permanent housing. When fully implemented, the plan will ensure Albertan’s are permanently housed, with the support they need, within 21 days of using a temporary emergency shelter.
Alberta Aboriginal Relations was awarded Bronze. The First Nations Economic Partnerships Initiative is the first of its kind in Canada. This multi-pronged leading edge government-funded initiative focuses on three unique areas: economic capacity building, strategic partnerships and regional economic development. Four years of investment have lead to the support of 109 partnerships with First Nations. A landmark was the unprecedented partnership between the Government of Alberta, 8 Aboriginal communities and IBM Canada. Together, the have expanded, enhanced education, literacy and training. This Initiative has been instrumental in the growth of economic capacities for the Aboriginal communities in Alberta.
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