OUR PLACE BREAKS GROUND IN VICTORIA

VICTORIA – Construction is underway for Our Place, a new $14-million development aimed at helping Victoria’s homeless and adults in crisis. Representatives from all three levels of government and local partners were on site today in Victoria to celebrate the progress.

The new five-storey complex will provide 45 transitional housing units, meal service for residents and homeless individuals, and a drop-in centre, as well as life skills coaching, literacy, and employment skills training.

“Our Place is a good example of the commitment of Canada’s new government to provide shelter to those in need in Victoria, and ensuring they are safe and comfortable during a difficult time in their lives,” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister Responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

Our Place is one of 12 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 this project include the Government of Canada, and the National Homelessness Initiative; the Province of B.C., the Vancouver Island Health Authority, and the Our Place Society, as well as other private local donors.

“This development is a showcase for the Province’s commitment to housing solutions for British Columbians,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “Victoria needs a facility that offers these services and the Province is pleased to be part of this important local solution.”

The Vancouver Island Health Authority will be providing operating funding for day and residential programs as well as outreach services. This will include a 24/7 support worker and a part-time nursing position.

“The integration and enhancement of mental health and addictions services is a key priority outlined in VIHA’s Five Year Strategic Plan, and we are committed to ensuring clients have timely and appropriate access to a whole range of addictions and mental health services,” said Michael Costello, VIHA board member. “As part of the Premier’s task force on homelessness, VIHA will be funding residential and day programs and well as outreach services through Our Place when it opens next year.”

When complete, the building will be managed by the Our Place Society, a consolidation of the Open Door Inner City Ministry and the Upper Room Society, two faith-based non-profit societies.

“We are excited to be able to offer something brand new to people many of whom have had only hand-me-downs,” said Rev. David Stewart, Our Place Society.

“The Victoria Steering Committee on Homelessness is delighted to have been involved in advancing the Our Place project, where many people turn each day,” said Andrew Lane, co-chair, Victoria Steering Committee on Homelessness. “We look forward to being involved with all segments of our community as we continue to address the issues of homelessness.”

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 BC Housing, will provide a minimum of $34 million annually to subsidize the costs of units 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.

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.

Media

contact:

Larisa Saunders

Corporate Communications

BC Housing

604 439-4757

604 505-4156 (cell)

Lee King

Corporate Representative

CMHC

250 361-6043 (cell)

David Stewart

Director

Our Place Society

250 388-7112

Suzanne Germain

VIHA Communications

250 370-8270

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.