 |
| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
|
| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
|
|
|
|
Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing |
|
|
WOMEN’S HOUSING FACILITY OPENS IN TERRACE |
|
TERRACE – Women and their children fleeing abusive relationships will benefit from a new $1.3-million eight-unit transition house opened today by the Ksan House Society. The project is one of 13 under development as part of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions.
“We know that a key factor in a woman’s ability to leave an abusive relationship is having access to safe housing,” said Housing Minister Rich Coleman. “With commitments from the Province, the federal government and the community, we’re able to provide women and children in Terrace a safe place to call home.”
The provincial and federal governments are each contributing capital funding of approximately $220,000 as part of the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement. In addition, contributions totalling almost $425,000 are being made by the Ksan House Society, the Real Estate Foundation, the Vancouver Foundation and the Terrace and Skeena Rotary Clubs.
Operating funding of approximately $400,000 per year will be provided by the Ministry of Community Services for transition house services that include counselling and support for women and their children.
“By providing safe shelter along with counselling and outreach services, we are able to help end the cycle of violence in these families’ lives,” said Ida Chong, Minister for Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues. “The supports offered through Ksan House are critical for allowing affected women and their children the chance to heal and move forward with their lives.”
“This development will allow vulnerable women and children in Terrace to live in a quality environment at an affordable cost,” said Nelson Merizzi, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s general manager for the B.C. region. “Shelter is one of the foundations upon which healthy communities and individual dignity are built. We are pleased to be working with our partners to help those who need our help the most and provide them with a new start on life.”
The new transition house will connect to a counselling and support centre that will provide a variety programs helping those in need to make positive life changes while ensuring their safety needs are met.
“Ksan House represents a new approach to transition house services by recognizing the need for integrated support services for the residents,” said Ksan House Society Programs director Jan LeFrancois. “Working together with community groups, governmental agencies, private donors, and non-governmental organizations, and with the countless support of the society’s clients and employees, the new Ksan House has come to exemplify the type of services that women fleeing abuse actually need.”
The Premier’s Task Force has also announced new housing and support service developments for Victoria, Kelowna, New Westminster, Prince George, Fort St. John, Vancouver, Surrey and Nanaimo. To date, the Task Force has announced a total of 533 new housing units with support services and shelter beds.
The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute $130 million by 2008 towards affordable housing in this province. The provincial government, through BC Housing, will provide a minimum of $34 million annually to subsidize the cost of units built under the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians in greatest need.
-30-
|
|
||
|
contact: |
Communications Specialist BC Housing 604 209-0013
|
Director of Programs Ksan House Society 250 635-2373 ext. 26
|
|
|
Regional Manager CMHC 778 772-5962 (cell)
|
|
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
