Women in Burnaby and New Westminster in need of safe, affordable housing now have new options at the Elspeth Alley Housing for Elder Women in Burnaby.

This new housing is a result of an agreement between the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster and Atira Women's Resource Society to operate a 23-apartment women's residence in the former Abbeyfield House on the grounds of St. Margaret of Scotland in Burnaby.

The B.C. government provided Atira with $33,871 in one-time costs to complete capital improvements and for start-up costs. In addition, the B.C. government will provide annual operational funding of $165,000 for the provision of support services. The Anglican Diocese of New Westminster will lease the land to Atira at a nominal rate for 44 years.

The apartments will be designated for elder women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In addition to the apartments, the building includes a common kitchen and amenity space including living and activity rooms.

Support services will include a 24/7 live-in co-ordinator, life skills education and training and treatment support.

The new house will be named Elspeth Alley Housing for Elder Women after one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada.

Quotes:

Harry Bloy, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed -

"Our government is committed to finding safe, affordable housing for people in need throughout B.C. Elspeth Alley for Elder Women is the result of many partners working together to make a difference in people's lives. I know this development will have a positive impact in Burnaby for many years to come."

Richard Lee, MLA for Burnaby-North -

"Lives will undoubtedly be changed, by providing 23 women with not just a roof over their head, but also the support they need to overcome barriers which prevent them from living a happier, healthier life."

"I commend these two partners for working together to create new housing for women who need a safe, supportive place to call home."

The Right Reverend Michael Ingham, Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster, Anglican Church of Canada -

"We are glad to have Atira and their programs on our site as their work is consistent with our own diocesan social outreach and compassionate service goals. We look forward to this partnership and the difference that it will make in the lives of women in our community."

Janice Abbott, CEO, Atira Women's Resource Society -

"We are thrilled to be a part of a new women's-only supported housing program, especially one for elder women and one outside the Downtown Eastside. Elspeth's is a new and critical resource and we look forward to working alongside the women who will live there."

Quick Facts:

• 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 $14.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements to more than 6,500 Burnaby households.

• The Diocese of New Westminster, Anglican Church of Canada comprises 74 parishes in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Sunshine Coast areas of BC. Through a wide variety of programs undertaken by partner agencies and societies, the church is very active in social outreach locally, regionally, and internationally. It sees this venture as a focused extension of its efforts to assist the disadvantaged in our society.

• Incorporated in 1983, Atira Women's Resource Society is a not-for-profit organization committed to the work of ending violence against women.

• Atira manages 14 different housing developments, and a number of related support programs including counselling, legal advocacy, a self-employment initiative, a community kitchen and a variety of projects and workshops.

Learn More:

To learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness, visit: www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/PHI

To learn more about The Diocese of New Westminster, Anglican Church of Canada, visit: www.vancouver.anglican.ca/

To learn more about Atira Women's Resource Society, visit: www.atira.bc.ca

Contact:

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