The Kinghaven Peardonville House Society (KPHS) will be the non-profit operator for the George Schmidt Centre, a proposed 30-unit apartment building with support services for men with mental health and/or addiction issues at risk of homelessness in Abbotsford.

The proposed location at 31250 King Rd. is a replacement for the Emerson St. site identified in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the Province and the City of Abbotsford signed in September 2008.

For this development, KPHS will subdivide of a portion of the land where they operate the Kinghaven Treatment Centre and Valley House, a 58-unit men's treatment centre. KPHS will then transfer ownership of the vacant land to the City of Abbotsford for the new development.

A public information meeting about the centre will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13 at 31250 King Rd.

Quotes:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing -

"The Province actively seeks partnerships that result in an increase in the number of transitional housing and support services available to British Columbians most in need. The proposed George Schmidt Centre is an excellent example of a partnership that will help provide men at risk of homelessness with access to safe, supportive services and transitional housing so that they can stabilize and rebuild their lives."

John van Dongen, MLA for Abbotsford South -

"The Province is working alongside the City of Abbotsford and the Kinghaven Peardonville Housing Society for the development of this much-needed transitional housing project. This multi-level partnership is an important step in the Province's continuous effort to reduce homelessness."

George Peary, mayor, City of Abbotsford -

"The City of Abbotsford is committed to providing affordable housing options for its most vulnerable citizens. The new Kinghaven site represents an investment in our community that will give hope to residents who need quality housing that meets their needs."

Milt Walker, executive director, Kinghaven Peardonville Housing Society -

"We are proud to name this facility in honour of the late George Schmidt, Kinghaven's longest-serving board member and a man dedicated to serving the needs of those we serve. When complete, the George Schmidt Centre will provide support services and stable housing for men at risk of homelessness in our community."

Quick Facts:

* Since the provincial housing strategy was launched in October 2006, the budget to provide affordable housing and fight homelessness has increased from $218 million to $521 million for 2011-12.

* In Abbotsford, the government will invest more than $4.5 million this year to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for low-income individuals, seniors and families.

* Under the MOU, the Province and the City of Abbotsford agreed to create up to 100 new supportive housing units on two city-owned sites. The Province is providing around $20 million for capital and operating funding.

* The Province has similar partnerships with eight municipalities in all, to create 2,300 new supportive housing units for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

* Since 2001, the provincial government has committed to build more than 21,600 new units of social housing - from supportive housing for the homeless to affordable rentals for individuals, seniors and families with lower incomes. More than 15,000 have been completed, over 4,100 are in development and another 1,866 have funding committed.

Learn More:

* Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle to learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness.

Contacts: Vincent Chou

BC Housing

604 454-5444 Katherine Jeffcoatt

City of Abbotsford

604 864-5564

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect