• $156 million for Alberta’s safe communities initiative, including:
• 21 new Crown prosecutors added this year; seven next year; and
• 100 new police officers this year; 100 more next year.
• Almost $2 billion in support for seniors and persons with disabilities, including a $108 million increase over last year.
• AISH payments increase by up to $100 to a maximum monthly payment of $1,188.
• Alberta Senior Benefit (ASB) increases by up to $40 for singles and $60 for couples, to $280 and $420 per month, respectively.
• About 6,000 more seniors eligible for ASB payments when income thresholds increase in July.
• $50 million for about 450 more supportive living spaces this year; total funding of
  $150 million over three years for 1,225 spaces.
• $488 million to address homelessness and housing pressures in Alberta.
• $207 million for homelessness initiatives.
• $281 million for affordable housing programs.
• More than $1.14 billion invested in services for children, youth and families to help them reach their full potential, including a nearly $43-million increase over last year.

Edmonton... The Alberta government is increasing its support for stronger communities through investments in its safe communities initiative and enhanced supports for seniors, persons with disabilities, the homeless and children and families in need.

Tackling crime and its causes
Progress will continue under the safe communities’ initiative with funding this year of $156 million. The focus in this second year of the initiative will be on dealing with the underlying and often complex reasons people commit crimes.  This work includes addressing families in crisis, mental health and addiction issues, and immigrant support programs.

“This funding demonstrates our continuing commitment to providing Albertans with safe and secure communities,” said Alison Redford, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “We will focus on community initiatives that address the root causes of crime and the development of a long-term crime reduction strategy with a focus on combating gangs and organized crime.”

A total of 21 new Crown prosecutors and 14 new support staff will be added in 2009-10; and seven new Crown prosecutors and four new support staff next year. These additional staff will enhance Alberta’s ability to effectively prosecute serious and violent crimes. 

Bolstering the front lines of enforcement
The Alberta government is also maintaining its commitment to safe and secure communities with funding for the front lines of law enforcement.

• Budget 2009 provides $13 million for the second wave of 100 new police officers as part of a commitment to add 300 over three years. This brings total funding for policing programs to
  $297 million.
• In addition, 30 more probation officers will be hired this year through funding of $3.4 million.  This adds to 50 officers hired last year as part of a commitment to hire 110 new probation officers over three years.  

Budget 2009 includes an additional $500,000 to address the serious problem of repeat offenders with a unit that focuses on 60 of the most chronic criminals. It also includes an increase of $1.2 million to bring the number of Safe Community and Neighbourhood (SCAN) investigators to a full complement of 29. SCAN investigators shut down properties used for illegal activities such as drugs, gangs and prostitution.

“We are addressing crime and the root causes of crime as part of our commitment to Albertans that their neighbourhoods and communities will be safe,” said Fred Lindsay, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security.  “We are making it harder for criminals to operate, harder for them to hide, and harder for them to avoid consequences for their crimes.”

The government is also developing a comprehensive plan to reduce gang crime and gang proliferation in Alberta. Strategies around prevention, intervention, awareness and enforcement will be brought forward to stakeholders at a gang summit in Calgary in June.

Strengthening supports for seniors and persons with disabilities
Assistance for seniors and persons with disabilities will increase to nearly $2 billion this year with an additional $108 million or 5.8-per-cent increase to the Seniors and Community Supports budget.

“This budget is proof of our commitment to help those in need,” said Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. “The budget strengthens some of the best programs of their kind in the country for the benefit of Alberta’s seniors and persons with disabilities.” 

To further support low-income seniors who are most in need, total funding for seniors programs increases by $49 million or 11.9 per cent to $456 million.

• Effective April 1, the maximum monthly Alberta Seniors Benefit (ASB) increases by $40 for single seniors and $60 for senior couples, to $280 and $420, respectively.
• Income thresholds for ASB will also increase on July 1 by $1,300 to $24,000 for single seniors and by $2,100 to $39,000 for senior couples. This will allow about 6,000 additional seniors to be eligible for a monthly cash benefit.

A $709-million budget this year for the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program represents a 10.2-per-cent increase that will directly benefit Albertans supported by AISH.

• AISH clients will receive up to $100 more per month effective April 1, raising the maximum monthly benefit to $1,188.
• The increased program funding will also help accommodate rising client caseloads.

Funding for the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program will increase by $33 million, or 5.8 per cent, to $604 million. Many clients of the PDD program will also benefit from the increased AISH benefit.  The PDD funding increase includes additional funding to help contracted agencies recruit and retain staff, and for the program to serve more Albertans and to address clients’ increasingly complex needs as they age.

Seniors and persons with disabilities will benefit from an additional $50 million to help develop approximately 450 more supportive living spaces this year through the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative, with total funding of $150 million over three years (2009-12).

These additional units will help reach the target of 1,225 affordable supportive-living spaces outlined in the Continuing Care Strategy. In addition to this year’s funding, $365 million in capital funding has been approved since 1999 to develop or modernize more than 7,800 supportive living and lodge units.

Building on progress to address homelessness and affordable housing pressures in Alberta
The Alberta government has developed Canada’s first provincial strategy that identifies immediate priorities and specific actions to support the creation of permanent and safe housing for the homeless. It also outlines the associated services needed to break the cycle of homelessness. 

A $207 million commitment in 2009-10 supports programs and services for the homeless.

• $100 million in capital funding will be provided this year and $400 million over three years to support construction of 2,700 housing units.
• $107 million in operating support, including $32 million to address and resolve the underlying causes of homelessness.

A $281 million commitment in 2009-10 will address the need for safe and affordable housing in Alberta.

• $178 million has been allocated toward the construction, renovation and maintenance of affordable housing units.  Over three years, $468 million will be provided, helping to meet a provincial goal of 11,000 new affordable housing units by 2012. More than 5,800 units were supported over the past two years, putting the government ahead of its goal.
• $103 million in operating support will be provided, including $56 million for the rent supplement program.

“We are confident that we are on the right path in addressing affordable housing pressures and homelessness in Alberta,” said Yvonne Fritz, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs. “By providing our most vulnerable citizens with appropriate housing and connecting them with the right programs and services, we will make a real difference in their lives and in our communities.”

Helping children, youth and families reach their full potential
More than $1.14 billion is being invested in services for children, youth and families — a $42.8 million, or 3.9-per-cent, increase over last year’s budget. This includes:

• $560 million for child protection, family enhancement and foster care supports;
• $206 million for child care;
• $113 million to support families with children with disabilities; and
• nearly $42 million for family violence and bullying prevention.

“Our focus remains on ensuring that children, youth and families in our province continue to receive the supports and services that they need to reach their full potential by making additional investments in areas that will make a meaningful and lasting difference in their lives,” said Janis Tarchuk, Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Of the increased funding, $24 million will go toward child protection and family enhancement services and supporting current foster parents in caring for children. Other increases are dedicated to assisting families in caring for their children with disabilities; preventing family violence and bullying; early intervention supports for parents and youth; and ensuring parents and caregivers continue to have access to the quality child care they need.