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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release Jan. 15, 2010 |
Ministry of Housing
and Social Development
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$28-MILLION SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNDERWAY IN DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE
VANCOUVER – Construction is underway for a new $28-million supportive housing development in the Downtown Eastside that will provide 108 new apartments for women who are homeless, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
“The Province is committed to building more affordable and supportive housing so residents have access to housing options with integrated support services,” said Coleman. “Once complete, this development will provide a much-needed home for 108 Vancouver women.”
Located at 525 Abbott St., the site is the fifth to break ground under the agreement between the Province and the City to build 14 new supportive housing developments in Vancouver. The Province is investing $20.8 million in capital infrastructure funding for this development, which integrates housing with support services to help women move beyond temporary shelter to stable housing and appropriate employment.
“This is another important step towards eliminating homelessness in Vancouver by providing homes and lending a helping hand to those most in need,” said Robertson. “Today’s groundbreaking - the fifth of our 14 new supportive housing sites is an excellent example of the positive changes that can take place when governments and community partners work together.”
The City of Vancouver is contributing costs in total of $7.6 million in land and construction costs for the retail component of the project. Through this partnership, the building will be owned by the Province on land leased from the City on a 60-year term at a nominal value. The retail space will be managed by the City’s Real Estate Services.
Atira Women’s Resource Society will manage and operate 525 Abbott St., providing housing for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and living in Vancouver. Women will receive support at their request and based on their self identified needs on a 24-hour basis.
“We advocate for and provide safe, supportive housing with an integrated support network to women and children at risk in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland,” said Janice Abbott, executive director of Atira Women’s Resource Society. “Our partnership with the Province and the City will further enable us to work towards our mission of providing much needed housing and support to women who are marginalized, homeless and often seen as hard to house.”
In 2009-10, the Province's budget for social housing is approximately $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001.
‘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.
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Media Contact:
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Rachel Nelken BC Housing 778 452-2719 604 505-8428 (cell)
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Corporate Communications City of Vancouver Media Line 604 871-6336
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BACKGROUNDER
Jan. 15, 2010 Ministry of Housing and Social Development
City of Vancouver
525 Abbott Street
Atira Women’s Resource Society’s development, located at 525 Abbott St. in Vancouver, will provide 108 units of housing with integrated support services for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The development will be a ten-storey building consisting of 96 studio apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments. The basement will include 110 bicycle/storage lockers and a bed-bug dissemination room. In addition, there will be retail space located on the ground floor and 17 covered parking stalls.
The development has been designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification standards.
Partners and Funding
The total capital cost of this development is approximately $28 million:
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Incorporated in 1983, Atira Women’s Resource Society is a not-for-profit organization committed to the work of ending violence against women. The society provides direct service, as well as increased awareness and education around the scope and impact on our communities of men’s violence against women and children. The Atira Women’s Resource Society manages 10 different housing developments, and a number of related support programs including counselling, legal advocacy, a self-employment initiative, a community kitchen and a variety of projects and workshops.
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Media Contact:
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Rachel Nelken BC Housing 778 452-2719 604 505-8428 (cell)
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Corporate Communications City of Vancouver Media Line 604 871-6336
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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.
