NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008HSD0071-001390 Sept. 15, 2008	Ministry of Housing and Social Development
PROVINCE FUNDS NEW EMERGENCY SHELTER IN VERNON

VERNON – The $1.2-million Gateway Vernon Shelter with 25 permanent emergency beds for men and women officially opened today, announced Tom Christensen, MLA for Okanagan-Vernon.

 

 “The government is working with community partners across the province to help homeless British Columbians find safe, secure housing and the supports they need to become independent,” said Christensen. “The Gateway Vernon Shelter is an excellent example of local groups and the Province pulling together to help citizens most in need.”

 

Through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, the Province provided $1.2 million in funding for the purchase and renovation of the Gateway Vernon Shelter at 2800 33^rd Street. The Province will also provide up to $530,000 in ongoing annual operating funding through the Emergency Shelter Program for staffing and programming services.

 

The shelter accommodates up to 13 men and 12 women with separate and secure sleeping quarters. Operations will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week with two staff on duty at all times. The John Howard Society – North Okanagan/Kootenay Region of B.C. will manage the men’s shelter and support services.

 

“Our organization has the capacity to provide emergency shelter and much needed services to our community’s most vulnerable,” said Barbara Levesque, executive director, John Howard Society – North Okanagan/Kootenay Region of B.C. “We have the opportunity to connect our clients with other support services to help end the cycle of homelessness.”

 

The Vernon and District Women’s Centre will manage the women’s shelter beds and support services through a partnership with the John Howard Society.

 

“The opening of this permanent shelter for homeless women in Vernon is a tremendous relief,” said Ann Forrest, executive director of the Vernon and District Women's Centre Society. “With this building and funding, we will continue reaching out to more women living on the streets and help them to find housing to keep them safe.”

 

Spearheaded by the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan, local business owners and social service agencies formed a committee to address concerns about homelessness in Vernon.  The Gateway Vernon Shelter was the result of the committee’s work. 

 

“The development of a permanent shelter for men and women is the work of many community groups, volunteers, local government and the Province,” said Annette Sharkey, executive director of the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan. “I am very proud of the way our community has come together to ensure that Vernon has an emergency shelter all year round.”

 

            The Province has committed to creating more than 4,000 new housing units under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The Province’s budget for shelters and affordable housing is more than $400 million – more than three times what it was in 2001.

 

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Media Contacts:	Darija Tomasic BC Housing 604 456-8845 604 374-4534	Barbara Levesque Executive Director John Howard Society – North Okanagan/Kootenay Region of B.C. 250 542-3213
	Ann Forrest Executive Director Vernon and District Women’s Centre 250 542-7531	Annette Sharkey Executive Director Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan 250 545-8572

 

1 backgrounder(s) attached.
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