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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing |
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NEW EMERGENCY SHELTER OPENS IN FORT ST. JOHN |
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FORT ST. JOHN – A $1.01-million addition to the Salvation Army Fort St. John Care and Share Centre officially opened its doors today. Dignitaries, funding partners and community members were on hand to celebrate the 20 new emergency shelter beds that will help the homeless and families in crisis.
The Care and Share Centre, operated by The Salvation Army, was developed with funding from the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement, through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative under the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support the Salvation Army in making a real difference in the lives of our most vulnerable citizens,” said the Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
The new one-storey building includes 20 beds, 16 of which are short-term shelter beds funded under the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement through the federal and provincial governments, and four transition beds, funded by the provincial Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.
“Through the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions the Province is working with local communities to improve the facilities and services available for those in need,” said Richard Neufeld, MLA for Peace River North. “The increased capacity and services provided at the Care and Share Centre will help more people turn their lives around.”
The Care and Share Centre provides accommodation, hot meals, showers, laundry, and a welcoming, safe atmosphere for clients. Other services, such as the Salvation Army Community and Family Services Office, are available in the drop-in centre next door. Shelter clients are able to reside for up to a month in the facility, where they are able to work through the process of being put on social benefits, seek employment, or work with other local agencies to enter alcohol or drug rehab programs.
“City Council was
glad to work with The Salvation Army to increase the capacity of the Care and
Share Centre. We gave them a temporary place to run the shelter during
renovations,” said Mayor Jim Eglinski. The former site, also owned by the city,
was subsequently sold to the health authority for a nominal fee. This site will
be the new location for a 24-unit assisted living facility currently in
development with BC Housing and Northern Health.
“Our shelter staff provide encouragement, basic personal counsel, referral services and other forms of basic personal assistance to make all clients feel as safe and comfortable as possible,” said Captain Jim Coggles of The Salvation Army Fort St. John.
The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will contribute more than $130 million towards affordable housing in this province. 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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contact: |
Communications Specialist BC Housing 604 439-4757 604 505-4156 (cell)
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 604 737-4032
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The Salvation Army, Fort St. John 250 785-0506
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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. |
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