Housing investments help over 95,000 people this year

VICTORIA - Implementing Canada's most ambitious housing strategy and building strong partnerships at the community level has enabled the Province to help more than 95,000 people keep the cost of housing more affordable in British Columbia in 2011.

This is just one more example of significant progress made by government in the last year to improve the lives of British Columbians and their families by creating and protecting jobs, by becoming more open and transparent, and by continuing to be fiscally responsible in these uncertain economic times.

This year alone, the Province will invest approximately half a billion dollars in a diverse range of social housing programs. British Columbia's housing programs encompass a wide range of needs, subsidizing private market rent for 25,000 low-income seniors and working families, providing transitional housing for women leaving abusive relationships and funding emergency shelters and outreach. The Province has completed nearly 640 new housing units since April of this year.

Quotes:

Darrell Burnham, executive director, Coast Mental Health -

"I don't think it's an overstatement to say that the Province of B.C., through its array of housing programs and initiatives, is not only improving health standards and quality of support for vulnerable people, but it is saving lives. This year alone, Coast Mental Health has partnered with BC Housing to open over 200 units of housing in Vancouver and Surrey for persons with mental illness and others facing homelessness. We have seen remarkable changes in the people housed who now can have hope for a better future and better life."

Quick Facts:

This year alone, the Province will invest approximately half a billion dollars in a diverse range of social housing programs, which include:

• Opening 389 new units of supportive housing in Vancouver together with the City of Vancouver and Streetohome Foundation.
• Creating a 26-bed women-only shelter in Vancouver in response to community need.
• Subsidizing private market rent for more than 25,000 low-income seniors and working families.
• Completing nearly 640 new housing units since April 2011, including more than 170 affordable rental apartments for low-income seniors, 38 new homes to support people with special needs, plus new units for Aboriginal people in Nanaimo (Salish Lelum) and Vancouver (Circle of Eagles Lodge and The Aboriginal Mothers Centre).
• Transferring ownership and management of over 500 rural properties to Aboriginal housing providers. The transfer started with 72 properties on Vancouver Island in July.
• A variety of other projects including 1249 Howe St. in Vancouver, where a new 12-storey building will provide 110 new supportive housing apartments for people with HIV/AIDS, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Learn More:

For information on provincial social housing programs and services: www.bchousing.org

To view the provincial housing strategy: www.housingmattersbc.ca

Find out about provincial and local government strategies to help make home-ownership more affordable: www.housing.gov.bc.ca/MarketHousing

Contact:

Communications
Minister Responsible for Housing
250 952-0167