P.E.I. taking different approach to homelessness

A request for proposals has gone out for groups interested in providing one-on-one services to help homeless people, as well as those in danger of becoming homeless,in Charlottetown and Summerside.

The agency or group would be the first point of contact for people who need help and would direct them to the appropriate housing, services or programs.

Previous federal initiatives have been about building affordable housing or shelters, says Roma Arsenault, the homelessness partnering strategy coordinator for P.E.I.

She says this initiative will be different as it will do things such as help people navigate through housing issues and help support them with landlords.

It really is geared more toward service delivery,one to one with hard-to-house individuals or people who have very complex kinds of issues as opposed to building housing, said Arsenault.

The federal government has earmarked $2.4 million over five years to address homelessness in P.E.I.

Arsenault says $275,000 will be used each year to directly support efforts in Charlottetown and Summerside, and money will also be directed to rural areas.

The deadline for proposals is March 1.

Arsenault hopes the initiative will be up and running by the spring.