NEW TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR WOMEN IN VICTORIA

VICTORIA – Older women fleeing abusive relationships will soon have more options for safe and affordable supportive housing as construction begins on 23 new transitional units for the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society.

The $4.5-million development, Harrison Place, will provide transitional housing with tenancy of up to three years for women aged 45-65 who have left abusive relationships and are working towards the goal of living independently in the community. The development is unique in that the support services have been guided by the experiences and knowledge of older women who have been abused. These services include staffing five days a week, group and individual counselling, and social activities.

“We know that a key factor in a woman’s ability to leave an abusive relationship is stable housing,” said Ida Chong, B.C.’s Minister for Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues. “Harrison Place will provide older women who have limited income and options, an opportunity to reintegrate into the community in a healthy and safe way.”

Under the Capital Region’s newly formed Housing Trust, the society has applied for a grant towards the creation of additional affordable housing, and the District of Saanich provided an exemption on the property taxes as a result of the society’s charitable status.

Since 1975, the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society has provided safe, welcoming shelter, respectful counselling, support and advocacy. Harrison Place is their first housing development and will complement their existing services for older women.

“Most of the subsidized housing in Victoria for women who have left abusive situations is for women with children,” said Victoria Women’s Transition House Society executive director Carolyn Fast. “Harrison Place will provide older women the opportunity to reach their goals of living independently, free from abuse.”

The 23-unit building will be constructed and will share the site with a privately owned 30-unit condominium development. Both projects will be built together, achieving significant cost savings. The developer, Searidge Management, will own the private condominium development and has provided land equity to the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society.

The provincial government will provide a minimum of $34 million annually to subsidize the cost of units built under the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians in greatest need.

Today’s announcement reflects the B.C. government’s goal of providing the best system of support in Canada for seniors. The Province’s September Budget Update provided an additional $242 million over three years to improve the lives of seniors, including: renewing the Seniors’ Supplement, to provide a monthly benefit for approximately 40,000 low income seniors; doubling annual funding for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program; and updating existing seniors’ health facilities and strengthening and modernizing the full range of services for seniors, to help them live as independently as possible.

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Naomi Brunemeyer Communications Specialist BC Housing Cell: 604 209-0013	Carolyn Fast Executive Director Victoria Women’s Transition House Society 250 592-2927

Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services.