Questions and Answers on the transfer of Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy to Infrastructure Canada

On April 1, 2023, the Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy was transferred from Employment and Social Development Canada to Infrastructure Canada. This transfer was a structural change within the Government of Canada and had no impact on the nature or funding of the Reaching Home program.

Why did the Reaching Home (RH) program move to Infrastructure Canada (INFC) and when did the transfer take place?

On October 26, 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the creation of a new Cabinet position, the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. This new position signals the importance of housing and homelessness across Canada and puts it at the forefront of the Government of Canada's mandate. In this role, the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion is supported by Canadian Heritage, Women and Gender Equality Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada and Infrastructure Canada (INFC).

Following the Prime Minister's announcement and pursuant to Order in Council (OIC) P.C. 2021-0952, responsibility for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy was transferred to INFC. To ensure a seamless transition, INFC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Service Canada to have them continue to administer the program until March 31, 2023. This arrangement provided INFC with time to develop the necessary organizational structure and supports in order to assume delivery of the Reaching Home program effective April 1, 2023.

How does this transfer impact current Reaching Home funding, agreements and service delivery?

This transfer is a structural change within the Government of Canada and has no impact on the nature or funding of the Reaching Home program. The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting Reaching Home funded organizations, Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners, and to ensuring the stability and continuity of the Reaching Home program.

All Reaching Home key partners and funding recipients can expect to receive the same level of support, operational guidance and program delivery.

What does this transition mean for my current claims or advances?

All processes for submissions remain the same at this time. Any revisions to procedures for advances, claims, reporting or amendments will be communicated in advance.

How does the transfer affect the Indigenous Homelessness Stream in the Quebec Region?

Service Canada Quebec Region has transferred responsibility for administering Indigenous Homelessness funding agreements in the province of Quebec to INFC as of April 1, 2023. INFC will be managing the agreements going forward and be the main point of contact for recipients.

Does this transfer affect the funding that has been dedicated under the Reaching Home program's Distinction-based Approaches stream?

Points of contact with Modern Treaty Holders, First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners under the Distinction-Based approaches stream remain the same.

The funding made available to Modern Treaty Holders under the Distinction-based approaches stream is not affected.

Does the transfer affect the Reaching Home programming delivered under the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Agreements and Engagement Protocol Agreements?

In rare cases, Reaching Home distinctions-based funding flows through other funding agreements administered by Service Canada, namely Indigenous, Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Agreements and Engagement and Protocol (EPA) Agreements.

Service Canada will continue to administer the ISET and EPA agreements after April 1, 2023.

Is there a change in how data is collected / reported?

The method of data collection remains the same at this time.