NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2007FOR0013-000160 Feb. 23, 2007	Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister responsible for Housing
758 NEW HOUSING UNITS TO HELP PREVENT HOMELESSNESS

VICTORIA – The Province is committing $196 million to create 758 supportive housing units across British Columbia, providing those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with greater access to safe and secure housing, Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman announced today.

 

Last October, the Province released its comprehensive housing strategy, Housing Matters BC, and released a proposal call for 450 new supportive housing units. Communities and non-profit organizations offered additional funding as part of their proposals, and as a result, the Province is able to increase the number of new units to 758.

 

“The proposal call resulted in some excellent and innovative ideas that have enabled us to increase the number of units by more than 60 per cent,” said Coleman. “We received a lot of thoughtful ideas from people who care about our communities.”

 

To fund these new units, the Province will provide $5.6 million annually for 35 years, for a total of $196 million. Local partnership contributions for the 758 units total $24.6 million in one-time funding.

 

“Together with local governments and non-profit organizations, we can help break the cycle of homelessness,” added Coleman. “These units will assist less fortunate British Columbians gain independence and make our communities stronger.”

 

The Province has now committed to creating 1,291 new housing units under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The Initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness by integrating support services with housing so people may move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, gain greater self-reliance, and achieve appropriate employment. The federal government is contributing $42 million to the initiative through the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement.

 

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Jennifer McLarty Public Affairs Officer 250 387-4592	Sam Rainboth Manager, Public Affairs BC Housing 604 439-4789
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