NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009HSD0046-000366 September 21, 2009

Ministry of Housing and Social Development City of Victoria

 

$9.8M HOMELESS HOUSING PROJECT BREAKS GROUND IN VICTORIA

 

VICTORIA – A groundbreaking took place today to mark the start of construction of a new 44-unit housing development in Victoria, providing support for people at risk of homelessness and creating about 98 new jobs. The $9.8-million project is the second site to break ground under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Province and the City of Victoria, Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development announced today.

 

            “Our government is working with municipal and community partners to support economic growth and create innovative housing options,” said Coleman. “We are delivering on our commitment to provide housing with supports so that people at risk of homelessness can forge a path towards a healthy, independent future.”

 

            The development, located at 950 Humboldt St., will provide 44 housing units with integrated support services to help people move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, greater self-reliance and appropriate employment.

 

            “This is another important step towards eliminating homelessness in Victoria by giving a helping hand to those who need it most,” said Victoria mayor Dean Fortin. “Today’s groundbreaking is a positive example of the change that can take place when government and community act in partnership.”

 

            Pacifica Housing Advisory Association (PHAA) will manage and operate the Humboldt Street development, assisting clients to access the resources and services they need, such as finding housing and employment, developing financial and other life skills, and accessing physical and mental health services. Their experienced support staff will work closely with individual participants to develop personal action plans designed to help them both stabilize and move forward with their lives.

 

            “We strive to provide housing opportunities that foster independence and confidence for those in need so they can move forward in their lives,” said Karyn French, executive director for PHAA. “Our partnerships with the Province and the City of Victoria will further enable us to realize our vision of contributing to the health and well-being of individuals in need of affordable housing with appropriate supports.”

 

            This projects are part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

 

 

            ‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness.

 

Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.

 

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A backgrounder follows.

 

Contact:

Rachel Nelken BC Housing 778 452-2719 604 505-8428 (cell)

Katie Josephson City of Victoria 250 361-0210

 

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.

 

 

BACKGROUNDER

September 21, 2009                                                   Ministry of Housing and Social Development

                                                                                                                                   City of Victoria

 

950 HUMBOLDT sTREET

 

Pacifica Housing Advisory Association’s 950 Humboldt St. in Victoria will provide 44 self-contained supportive housing units for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

 

The new development will be a four-storey wood-frame building that will include 44 supportive housing units, programming space, an office, and a communal kitchen. There will also be 24 bicycle parking stalls and a semi-underground parking area with seven stalls.

 

The Humboldt Street development is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announced by the Province and the City of Victoria in January 2008. Humboldt is the second site to break ground under the MOU. The first site, at 525 Ellice St., officially broke ground on March 19, 2009.

 

Partners and Funding

 

·         The estimated total capital cost of this project is $9,895,325 which will be funded by the Province.

·         The City of Victoria has waived all fees and will provide a permissive tax exemption to the property.

·         Pacifica Housing Advisory Association will manage and operate the development.

 

 

Pacifica Housing Advisory Association

 

Established in 1988, Pacifica Housing Advisory Association (PHAA) provides innovative affordable housing opportunities for low-income families, single adults and persons with disabilities in Greater Victoria and Nanaimo. The association does this by constructing, managing, developing and creating a broad range of housing options.

 

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Contact:

Rachel Nelken BC Housing 778 452-2719 604 505-8428 (cell)

Katie Josephson City of Victoria 250 361-0210