PROVINCE PROVIDES $60K GRANT TO UNITED WAY

VICTORIA – The Province is providing a $60,000 grant to the United Way of the Fraser Valley (UWFV) to support housing initiatives for their Fraser Valley Housing Network (FVHN), Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development, announced today.

“The Province has been a long-time supporter of the United Way and commends their dedicated efforts to promote safe, supportive communities for everyone, regardless of financial, social or cultural background,” said Coleman. “By providing funding for the Fraser Valley Housing Network, we are advancing our commitment to offer innovative, affordable housing solutions to those most in need.”

The Province will provide $20,000 annually over three years to allow FVHN to maintain a full-time co-ordinator position, and to facilitate housing solutions that include developing a rent bank project to help avoid eviction due to financial crisis, supporting a regional forum and action planning on housing and homelessness in the Fraser Valley, and assisting in the development and implementation of extreme cold wet weather shelter plans. Two years ago, the Province provided $34,000 towards the co-ordination of the FVHN.

Formed in 2004, the FVHN through the United Way is a group of 60 organizations from communities in Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Hope and Boston Bar. The FVHN takes an innovative approach to finding and creating affordable housing solutions by building and maintaining strong partnerships with various government and community partners.

“Our mission is to improve social conditions in the Fraser Valley,” said Wayne Green, executive director, UWFV. “Through The Fraser Valley Housing Network, we are moving closer to realizing a community where everyone has access to safe affordable housing and a place to call home.”

The United Way of the Fraser Valley has operated for more than 20 years, and works with community partners to identify issues and challenges in each community, to define critical needs, and to determine how to collaborate to best meet those needs. The United Way supports the social service needs of the community by investing in programs and services that help people improve their lives and contribute to a strong and caring community.

Increasing affordable housing, reducing homelessness and helping those who cannot help themselves is a key agenda for the Province of British Columbia. Budget 2008 increased the amount the Province invests in affordable housing and shelters to more than $400 million a year, more than three times as much as in 2001.

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Contact:

Rachel Nelken

BC Housing

778 452-2719

604 505-8428 (cell)

Wayne Green

United Way of the Fraser Valley

604 852-1234




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