Youth aged 17-30 in Nanaimo will soon have access to new affordable housing, thanks to an accepted offer for the Nanaimo Youth Services Association to purchase a historic rooming house at 545 Haliburton St.

The society will purchase and extensively renovate the building, formerly known as the Rowe Residence, to provide 14 to 16 apartments for employed youth. An additional apartment will be designated for an on-site resident manager to provide support to the residents.

Many of the youth will have completed the Nanaimo Youth Services Association's BladeRunner program - a youth employment training program which provides employment and skills to out-of-school and unemployed youth. This new housing will provide an affordable option as they progress into their working lives.

The government of B.C. will provide construction financing of $302,000. The City of Nanaimo will provide a $75,000 grant from their Housing Legacy Fund for the project.

Youth and staff from the Nanaimo Youth Services Association, along with partners from the local Rotary Club, will be hosting a clean-up of the site on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the community are welcome to drop by during this time to meet the society.

Quotes:

Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum -

"This project is important to ensure that youth who are just getting started in their careers have a safe and affordable place to call home."

"I have been an ardent supporter of Nanaimo Youth Services Association's vision and I'm proud that our government was able to support their endeavour. I look forward to seeing Haliburton House progress and begin making a difference in our community."

Mayor John Ruttan, City of

"It's wonderful to see this project moving forward for the Nanaimo Youth Services Association. This project is another piece of the puzzle to providing greater access to affordable housing in Nanaimo and making our community an even better place for young people to live."

Steve Arnett, chief executive officer, Nanaimo Youth Services Association -

"It has been our organization's dream for a long time to find a way to provide affordable housing for employed youth in our community. Finally all the pieces have come together and we will be able to provide this much-needed service while contributing to improving the community as a whole. I am excited about what the future has in store for Haliburton House."

Quick Facts:

• The Families First Agenda for British Columbia provides information about how government supports families throughout the province. It describes a range of established programs and some new ideas to help make life more affordable, support vulnerable families and keep communities safe. To read the agenda, share your ideas or provide feedback, visit: http://www.familiesfirstbc.ca/
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.2 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 97,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services
• In 2011-12, the B.C. government invested approximately $8.1 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for nearly 2,000 households in Nanaimo.
• The Nanaimo Youth Services Association is a community-based, not-for-profit, charitable society. Since their incorporation in 1969, they have provided a range of residential and non-residential services to vulnerable youth in the Nanaimo Regional District.

Learn More:

• To learn more about the Community Partnership Initiative, visit: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Financing/CPI.
• To learn more about programs and services offered by the Nanaimo Youth Services Association, visit: www.nysa.bc.ca.

Contact:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789
604 417-5791 (cell)