NEW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO HELP HOMELESS IN KELOWNA

March 19th, 2008

KELOWNA – The Province and the City of Kelowna have agreed to create up to 140 new supportive housing units on three City-owned sites to be built by 2010, Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman and Mayor Sharon Shepherd announced today.

“The Province is partnering with the City of Kelowna to create housing with support services for those in greatest need,” said Coleman. “This agreement ensures construction can begin as soon as possible, with the City contributing much-needed land and the Province funding pre-development costs.”

“The City of Kelowna recognizes that supportive housing is needed in neighbourhoods throughout Kelowna and we’re pleased to be able to partner with the Province to build capacity in our community at all levels of care,” said Shepherd. “We’re ready to move forward on these City-owned sites so additional assistance can be offered to those in our community who need a helping hand.”

Properties at 330 Boyce Crescent and 195 Rutland Road North will be developed with housing units for low-income singles who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Each development will have 30 to 50 units of apartment-style housing and space for supportive services. A proposal call seeking non-profit housing organizations to manage and operate the housing, and plans for support services, will be issued this spring by the Province.

“The new homes will provide security and structure to people’s lives,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning. “In addition to the certainty that housing brings, support programs will connect residents to appropriate social and health services, allowing them to concentrate on stabilizing and improving their lives.”

A third property at 2938 Tutt St. will be developed with up to 40 larger family-type units for women and children. This site will be operated and managed by New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society.

“Safe, affordable housing is a fundamental requirement for everyone and especially necessary for women and children,” said Liz Talbott, executive director of NOW Canada Society. “This development will enable NOW to provide a safe home and necessary supportive services for women with a proven financial need who require a little extra help.”

Construction is expected to start in early 2009. The City approval process will be consistent with established policies and practices for development permit applications. The Province has agreed to arrange for the buildings’ capital and operating funding. Building costs are estimated to be around $30 million.

The Province’s contribution to pay for pre-development costs is part of the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, which has committed to the creation of more than 4,000 new and upgraded supportive housing units across B.C. The Province’s agreement with Kelowna follows similar memoranda of understanding to fast-track up to 1,200 units in Vancouver and up to 170 units in Victoria. Budget 2008 increased the amount the Province invests in affordable housing and shelters to more than $380 million a year, more than three times as much as in 2001.

Details on this initiative can be found at:
http://www.bchousing.org/programs/homelessness/municipal_approvals

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BACKGROUNDER

The memorandum of understanding between the Province and the City of Kelowna commits to the construction of up to 140 units of new social and supportive housing in Kelowna. The new housing developments will be created on three sites: Boyce Crescent, Rutland Road North and Tutt Street.

Boyce Crescent & Rutland Road North

The sites at 330 Boyce Crescent and 195 Rutland Road North are City-owned and appropriately zoned.
Boyce Crescent is vacant while Rutland Road North is being used as a parking lot.
New construction will provide 30-50 self-contained units of supportive housing on each site with space for support services.
The Province will issue a proposal call this spring to select non-profit housing organizations to operate the developments.
The City will lease the sites to the successful proponents for a nominal fee for 60 years.
The City will exempt the sites from property taxes as long as they continue to provide housing and support services for people who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness.
The buildings will be designed to LEED Gold Certification or equivalent standards.

Tutt Street

2938 Tutt Street is City-owned, appropriately zoned and currently used as a parking lot.
New construction will provide approximately 36-40 self-contained, larger family-type units of transitional second-stage housing for women and children with space for support services.
New Opportunities for Women Canada Society will be the non-profit operator.
The City will lease the site to the Society for a nominal fee for 60 years.
The City will exempt the site from property taxes as long as it continues to provide housing and services for people who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness.
The building will be designed to LEED Gold Certification or equivalent standards.
City Council is committed to ensuring no net loss of parking in the area.

Process

Memorandum of understanding signed by the Province and the City on March 19, 2008.
The Province will pay all costs to design the housing through to the issuance of development and building permits, including consultant fees and disbursements for the three sites.
The Province will arrange all capital and operating funding.
The City will provide the land for redevelopment.
The City will designate a staff member to ensure the municipal approval process is expedited.

New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society

Since 1998, NOW Canada Society has been providing programs, ongoing support, safe housing and hope to sexually exploited female youth and homeless women and children from Kelowna and across the province. The Society offers safe accommodation for sexually exploited female youth and affordable, supportive housing to women, with or without children, who demonstrate a proven financial need. Over the past 10 years, NOW Canada has expanded its programs beyond safe housing to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for women and children to include a 20-bed homeless shelter, 24-hour emergency support, life skills and employability skills programs, trauma and equine therapy programs and one-on-one client support and advocacy services.

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Media Contact:
Patricia Morrison
BC Housing
604 314-1458

Karen Cairns
City of Kelowna
250 469-8663

Liz Talbott
NOW Canada Society
250 763-3876

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