NEW CENTRE BRINGS HOPE TO NANAIMO’S HOMELESS

NANAIMO – A new $4.2-million housing development aimed at helping Nanaimo’s homeless and families in crisis is officially underway following a celebration-of-construction ceremony held today with federal, provincial and local representatives.

The Salvation Army New Hope Centre in Nanaimo is one of 12 transitional housing developments being built across the province as a result of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions. Other major partners in the project include the Government of Canada through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Vancouver Island Health Authority and the Salvation Army.

“Our government is committed to working with our partners to create facilities like the Salvation Army New Hope Centre to give people the support they need to make the transition towards long-term permanent housing,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, federal Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

B.C.’s Housing Minister Rich Coleman said that, as part of the project, the Province would fund counselling services and employment programs for those staying at the centre. “This facility will provide those in need with tools, skills and support to improve their lives and regain their independence,” said Coleman.

The new centre, operated by the Salvation Army Nanaimo Ministry, will house a total of 45 beds, 29 of which can be used as emergency crisis or shelter beds along with 16 self-contained studio units for longer-term transition and supportive housing.

“By combining housing with support services, the Salvation Army New Hope Centre demonstrates how various levels of government and the non-profit and private sectors can join together to build safe, healthy communities,” said Nanaimo Mayor Gary Korpan.

“The Vancouver Island Health Authority funding for residential care and assisted living workers will provide 24-hour, seven-days-a-week coverage so clients will have the necessary supervision and support at all times,” said Marg Fraser, manager of Mental Health and Addictions Services – Nanaimo, adding that a supportive drop-in centre will provide a central location with co-ordinated services to this underserved population.

“It will offer a continuum of housing arrangements for those in transition from homelessness to a more stable living situation,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Donald J. Copple, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army British Columbia.

“This funding is going a long way to help reduce homelessness in Nanaimo,” said John Horn, chair of Nanaimo’s Homelessness Group. “It has allowed the stakeholders and partners in this process to make significant progress on our community plan, and provides us with the kind of social infrastructure that will have an impact for years to come.”

The Government of Canada, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute $130 million towards affordable housing in this province. Since 1999, the National Homelessness Initiative has also committed more than $89 million to projects targeting issues of homelessness in B.C. The provincial government, through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, will provide $34 million annually to subsidize the cost of units built under this agreement, as part of a larger strategy to provide a range of housing options for British Columbians.

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This news release is available online at www.bchousing.org.

1 backgrounder(s) attached.

Media

contact:

Larisa Saunders

Corporate Communications

BC Housing

604 439-4757

604 790-2344 (cell)

Anya Nimmon

Communications Advisor

VIHA

250 740-6980

Captain John Murray

Division Secretary for Media Relations

The Salvation Army

604 551-5388 (cell)

Christina Wensley

Event Coordinator

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

604 737-4032

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