B.C. TO INVEST $32.9M IN HOUSING FOR HOMELESS IN SURREY

SURREY – The Province is providing $32.9 million for two new supportive housing developments, creating 211 jobs in Surrey, Minister of Housing and Social Development Rich Coleman announced today.

“The funding for these developments is an excellent example of the Province’s commitment to help British Columbians who need it most,” said Coleman. “This government is creating jobs and resources that can sustain future growth and providing housing and supports that will help encourage people to become healthy and achieve independence.”

The developments are part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Province and the City of Surrey signed in April 2008 to develop city-owned land with supportive housing. Through this accelerated infrastructure funding, $10.9 million will be provided to develop Alder Gardens, at 13775-95 70 Ave. and $21.9 million will be provided to develop Creekside Health and Housing Centre, at 13670 94A Ave. Creekside will provide supportive housing for people requiring drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation who are at risk of homelessness and will be operated by the Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society.

Today’s announcement took place during the celebration of construction of the Maxxine Wright Centre, at 13729 – 92 Ave., The Centre, a $17.9-million development, will provide 24 self-contained units of transitional housing and 12 short term stay units, both with integrated support services for pregnant women and their children who homeless or at risk of homelessness. The development also includes a pre- and post-natal clinic for high-risk pregnant women and a 59-space day-care through an agreement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).

“Women who come to the Maxxine Wright Centre have faced enormous barriers and this facility will help provide them with the various supports they need,” said Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid. “Quality affordable child care is a critical element for these women who are on a remarkable journey to improve their own lives and those of their children.”

MCFD provided a $1.5 million capital grant to build the child-care centre that will serve all age groups, from infant to school age. The Province will also provide capital funding in the form of a grant of $500,000 and $13.2 million. The Government of Canada will be investing over $1.2 million of federal homelessness funding through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).

“Our government is supporting many Canadians with housing needs and is fulfilling its commitment to help those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Ms. Dona Cadman on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of HRSDC. “Through this investment, the Atira Women’s Resource Society will be able to offer vulnerable women the support they need through the Maxxine Wright Place.”

In addition to providing the land for the two accelerated infrastructure MOU sites, the City of Surrey, will provide $1 million, through the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund to the Maxxine Wright Centre.

“All three of these projects demonstrate the benefits of multiple levels of government working together to provide more stable housing options for individuals in the greatest need in our city,” said Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. “These developments will help provide an effective long-term solution to the issue of homelessness in our community.”

Under the MOU, Alder Gardens will be developed with 36 self-contained supportive housing units for women and children who are at risk of homelessness and will be operated by YWCA Vancouver.

“YWCA Vancouver is pleased to be partnering with the Province and the City of Surrey on this important housing project,” said Janet Austin, CEO of YWCA Vancouver. “The YWCA has a longstanding history of supporting women on the path to economic independence. These housing units, which include a wide range of social, legal and economic supports, will allow us to help women rebuild their lives and achieve success for themselves and their families.”

Atira Women’s Resource Society provided the land valued at $272,651 and will manage and operate the housing and support services at the Maxxine Wright Centre.

“This has been an eight-year labour of love,” said Janice Abbott, executive director and CEO for Atira Women’s Resource Society. “Our board, staff, community partners and the women and children who access our services have worked hard to make this happen. Our partnership with the Province and the City of Surrey will finally enable us to provide stable supports for women who are pregnant and at risk and their children supporting their right to be full participants in their communities.”

The Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to more than 60 communities across Canada. The HPS took effect April 1, 2007, with annual funding of $134.8 million for two years. It has been extended for two additional years from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2011. The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness over the next five years.

The MOU 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.

In 2009/10, the Province’s budget for affordable housing and shelters is $469 million, more than four 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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BACKGROUNDER
MAXXINE WRIGHT CENTRE

Atira Women’s Resource Society’s Maxxine Wright Centre, at 13729 – 92 Avenue in Surrey, will provide 24 self-contained units of transitional housing and 12 short-term stay units for women who are pregnant and homeless or at risk of homelessness and their children. The facility will also include new community health centre and a 59-space child-care facility to support residents and current clients of the Maxxine Wright Centre as well as families in the community at large.

The development will consist of two buildings. The program building will include the child-care centre on the main floor, a clinic on the second floor, and 12 short-term stay units with a community kitchen on the third floor. The second building is entirely residential, providing 24 units, including four one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units. The buildings will be designed to LEED Gold standard.

Both short-term stay units and transitional housing clients will have access to resources and support services, including assistance with housing and employment; developing financial and other life skills; and accessing physical and mental health services. Support staff will work closely with individual participants to develop personal action plans designed to help support them to make the decisions that will move them to where they want to be in their lives.

The 59 day-care spaces will be created through an agreement between the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and BC Housing.

PARTNERS AND FUNDING
The total capital cost of this development is approximately $17.9 million:

Operational and program funding will be provided by the Province and Atira Women’s Resource Society. MCFD will provide operational funding to the child care centre and child care subsidies will also be available to eligible families.

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 contacts:
Patricia Lusic
BC Housing
604 456 8895
604 314 1458

Norman Van Eeden Petersman
Mayor`s Office - City of Surrey
604 591 4168