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Ministry of Forests and Range and |
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PROVINCE PROTECTS AFFORDABLE VICTORIA HOUSING |
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VICTORIA
– The Province has invested $6.6
million to purchase a 51-unit apartment building and a 13-bed rooming house to
protect affordable housing in Victoria, Minister responsible for Housing Rich
Coleman and Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond announced
today.
“These
latest purchases reflect the Province’s ongoing commitment to provide
affordable housing and support services,” said Coleman. “Stable and supportive
housing are essential in helping people break the cycle of homelessness, and
the reason why we have purchased and preserved more than 1,400 units of
affordable housing in 30 buildings across B.C. in the last two years.”
The $5.8-million capital cost to purchase the
Gorge Waterway Apartments at 246 Gorge Road East includes a $1.78-million
contribution from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance with the
remainder of the funding provided through the Provincial Homelessness
Initiative. The rooming house at 1729 Oak Bay Ave. was purchased for $818,000
and, in addition to 13 bedrooms, includes six common bathrooms and two
kitchens.
“Providing housing and associated support
services is recognized by the provincial government as a key step in helping
vulnerable British Columbians improve their lives,” said Richmond. “Securing
these buildings as affordable housing will provide stability for people who are
at risk of homelessness in Victoria.”
The
Province assumed ownership of both buildings on May 15. A proposal call seeking
non-profit housing organizations to manage and operate the Gorge Road housing,
including plans for support services, will be issued this summer.
“The Mayor’s Task Force report released last
October highlighted the extreme need for supportive housing in our region,”
said Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe. “The provincial purchase of these two buildings
ensures that they will continue to provide affordable rental housing for our
most vulnerable residents.”
The
Province has committed to creating more than 4,000 supportive housing units as
a continuation of the ongoing work of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness,
Mental Illness and Addictions. Budget 2008 increased the amount the Province
invests in affordable housing and shelters to more than $380 million a year,
more than three times as much as in 2001.
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contact: |
Senior Communications Specialist BC Housing 604 314-1458 |
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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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