PROVINCE SUPPORTS 1,398 HOUSING UNITS IN COMOX VALLEY

COURTENAY – Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman today announced that Housing Matters BC, the provincial government’s strategy to address homelessness, has ensured 1,398 social housing units remain available to residents in the Courtenay/Comox area.

“We’re committed to helping low-income earners find affordable housing in British Columbia,” said Coleman. “Homelessness affects everyone. It is a very serious social issue that we are addressing in new and more effective ways.”

In the Comox-Strathcona Regional District, the Province has allocated $4.3 million to support 1,398 units – 803 subsidized housing units, 368 units for seniors through the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, 141 units for working families under the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and 87 assisted living units currently under construction.

As part of this commitment, the Province is supporting 526 units in Courtenay through an annual subsidy of approximately $1.8 million. This includes 250 subsidized housing units, 136 seniors assisted through SAFER and 53 families supported through RAP. As well, the Province currently has 87 units of housing under construction in Courtenay. Scheduled for completion in March 2009, the Comox Valley Seniors Village will provide housing and assisted living care for seniors through Independent Living BC.

In Comox, the Province contributes $180,000 annually to provide 123 units of subsidized housing, including 45 subsidized housing units, 58 seniors who receive assistance through SAFER and 20 families assisted through RAP.

On a provincial level, the 2007-08 social housing budget is $360 million – more than triple what it was in 2001.

This commitment includes investing $27.5 million to convert nearly 300 cold wet weather beds to year round shelter beds – increasing the number of full-time shelter beds in B.C. to 1,300. A further $25 million will allow these shelters to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Courtenay, the Province supports a 14-bed shelter, which is an annual commitment of $230,000.

In April 2007, the Province also boosted the maximum shelter rate by $50 a month for all income assistance clients – giving employable singles the highest shelter rate in Canada. Since homeless outreach services were introduced in 2006, more than 1,600 homeless people have been provided with stable housing options in approximately 30 communities.

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Media Contact:
Sam Rainboth
BC Housing
604 439-4789