$10.7-MILLION WOMEN’S HOUSING BREAKS GROUND IN KELOWNA

KELOWNA – Provincial, municipal and community partners gathered for the groundbreaking of the $10.7-million Tutt Street Place, a new 39-unit supportive housing development for women in financial need, the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister for Agriculture and Lands and MLA for Kelowna-Mission announced today.

“Our government has partnered with municipal governments to help British Columbians dealing with homelessness forge a path towards independence and self-sufficiency,” said Thomson. “By offering more housing options with support services, developments like this will be a place of positive change for women facing challenges, while creating about 100 new jobs in this community.”

The project is the second site to break ground under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Province and the City of Kelowna. The Province is investing $9.1 million in capital infrastructure funding to develop Tutt Street Place through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative (PHI), which integrates housing with support services to help people move beyond temporary shelter to stable housing and appropriate employment. The City of Kelowna has provided a land lease reduction and reduced municipal levies.

“Our partnership with the Province to build new supportive housing in Kelowna will both help our most vulnerable citizens and strengthen our community as a whole,” said Sharon Shepherd, mayor of Kelowna. “Tutt Street Place will be a sanctuary for women in need, so they can re-establish their independence by moving towards greater self reliance.”

The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia is providing a $100,000 capital grant for the development.

“The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia sees its involvement in Tutt Street Place as a practical strategy to provide affordable, stable housing for women in Kelowna,” said Stephen Mullock, foundation chair. “We’re very pleased to be a part of this partnership that will assist women and children by providing them with the necessary tools to create a healthy future.”

New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society will oversee the construction and will be operating and managing the building. They provided $671,140 in cash equity, including a donation of $50,000 from Connection Drug Rehabilitation Society. Construction is expected to be completed by February 2011.

“Our mandate is to offer women a comprehensive range of programs and services, designed to provide a continuum of care so they can live healthier, safer and more fulfilling lives,” said Liz Talbott, executive director of NOW Canada. “With the support from the Province, the City of Kelowna and various community partners, we are able to expand our services and help more women, youth and children in our community.”

Tutt Street Place is 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 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.

-30-
BACKGROUNDER
TUTT STREET PLACE

New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society’s Tutt Street Place, located at 2970 Tutt St. in Kelowna, will provide 39 units of affordable and supportive housing for women, with or without children, who have a proven financial need.

The four-storey building will include 24 one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units. Support offices, program areas, and common areas for tenants will be on the ground floor. There will also be 13 secured parking spaces on the ground level.

The building has been designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification standards, on top of targeting net zero Green House Gas emissions.

Tutt Street Place will provide a safe environment for tenants to improve aspects of their lives which may involve their health, housing and employment. Tenants will have the opportunity to work with staff and other community agencies to develop and achieve their personal goals.

Tutt Street Place is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announced by the Province and the City of Kelowna in March 2008. This is the second site to break ground under the MOU. The first site, Willowbridge, to be operated by Canadian Mental Health Association – Kelowna and District Branch, located at 330 Boyce Cres., officially broke ground on July 14, 2009.

PARTNERS AND FUNDING:

The capital cost of this project is approximately $10.7 million:

• The Province is providing $9,106,736 in capital infrastructure funding through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative.
• The City of Kelowna is providing a land lease reduction of $550,000 and $298,404 in reduced municipal levies.
• The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia is providing a $100,000 grant.
• NOW Canada is providing $671,140 in cash equity, including a donation of $50,000 from Connection Drug Rehabilitation Society.

Operational funding:

• The Province will also provide an annual operating subsidy of $292,500.


NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN (NOW) CANADA SOCIETY 

Since 1998, NOW Canada has been providing programs, services and ongoing support to women, youth and children who have experienced addictions, mental health challenges and have suffered from abuse. The society also provides emergency shelter as well as transitional housing and affordable, supportive living for women, with and without children, who have a proven financial need.

-30-

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

Tom Wilson
City of Kelowna
250 469-8829