NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008HSD0015-001029 July 4, 2008	Ministry of Housing and Social Development
PROVINCE FUNDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN VERNON

VERNON – A new $11.7-million development that will provide 40 units of affordable housing for Vernon families officially broke ground today with government and community partners on hand to celebrate.

 

“The Province is committed to improving the lives of families who are at risk of homelessness,” said the Tom Christensen, MLA for Okanagan-Vernon and Minister of Children and Family Development. “This development will be a place of stability and opportunity for families by providing them with safe, affordable rental housing.”

 

The Province provided a capital grant to facilitate the construction of 4305 19^th Avenue under the Aboriginal Housing Initiative (AHI). The City of Vernon has provided a 60-year lease on the land.

 

“This development will make a real difference for families who will call it home and for the community of Vernon as a whole,” said Acting Mayor Juliette Cunningham. “Building a better life and the ability to pursue opportunities begins with having stable and affordable housing. Vernon Native Housing Society has a great record of managing this type of housing in our community.”

                                                                                           

Vernon Native Housing Society will operate and manage the development. The society was one of the successful proponents following a proposal call for AHI housing developments issued in 2007 in consultation with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA). Formed in B.C. in the mid-1990s, AHMA is the only Aboriginal social housing management agency in Canada. 

 

            “There is a broad range of housing need in Vernon,” said Tina Hlady, AHMA board executive, “and the Aboriginal Housing Initiative helps provide new resources to create a range of affordable housing. This development will give Vernon Native Housing Society’s clients affordable mainstream housing options.”

 

“Our society was formed to help people break the cycle of homelessness by providing people with affordable rental housing,” said Val Chiba, president of Vernon Native Housing Society. “Through this development, we are meeting our goal of providing stable, clean and comfortable housing for Vernon families in greatest need.”

 

The Aboriginal Housing Initiative has allocated 292 housing units in 10 communities across the province. The units are being funded with $50.9 million in one-time funds through the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust, which was transferred from the Government of Canada to the Province, and is designed to address the housing needs of clients, like those of the Vernon Native Housing Society. The Province is working in consultation with AHMA to administer the trust.

 

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:	Darija Tomasic BC Housing 604 456-8845 604 374-4534 (cell)	Val Chiba Vernon Native Housing Society 250 558-4574
	Liz Williams City of Vernon 250 550-3539	Andrew Leach CEO Aboriginal Housing Management Association 604 921-2462

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