Women who are recovering from addiction have access to 17 new recovery beds in Maple Ridge with today's opening of a new addition to Hannah House.

InnerVisions Recovery Society of B.C. began operating Hannah House in 2002 as a short-term residential treatment program for women affected by substance abuse. To address the need for more beds, InnerVisions fundraised to build an addition to the property.

The addition is a two-storey house providing a mix of single- and double-occupancy bedrooms, as well as one accessible bedroom. Amenity space includes a common lounge, counselling rooms, laundry room and group meeting space.

The total capital cost of the addition is approximately $1.1 million. InnerVisions Recovery Society provided approximately $421,655 in fundraised equity for the project, and will finance approximately $500,000. The Province provided the land and will provide $132,000 through the Ministry of Social Development's Job Creation Program to provide meaningful work experience for residents.

Quotes:

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission

"InnerVisions Recovery Society has been providing a much-needed service in our community for many years and I want to congratulate them on this most recent accomplishment. They have shown that by bringing together their partners and leveraging available resources, they can ensure a better future for women with addictions in Maple Ridge."

Mayor Ernie Daykin, District of Maple Ridge

"Maple Ridge is my hometown, and I know it's a wonderful place to live. But I also know that there are many people in our community who need help and support to overcome the challenges they face in their lives. I want to commend InnerVisions Recovery Society for the work that they do to help people in need in our community."

Billy Weselowski, executive director, InnerVisions Recovery Society of B.C.

"Having been down the road of addiction and recovery myself, I know first-hand that with just a little bit of help and support, people can overcome their barriers and go on to live healthy, productive lives. It's common knowledge that women in our province are desperate for recovery spaces. Today we are celebrating being able to help even more women in our community. By addressing this demand and providing a new resource, women can get the help they need."

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 95,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• In 2010/11 the Province invested over $4.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for 1,011 Maple Ridge households.
• InnerVisions Recovery Society has been working for over 20 years to create a safe and nurturing community that men and women suffering from addiction can go to learn a new way of life free from alcohol and drugs. InnerVisions is a major part of a comprehensive, sobriety-driven continuum that has helped thousands of people to stay sober.

Learn More:

Visit www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/PHI to learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness.

To read how the provincial housing strategy is helping British Columbians, visit:

http://www.bchousing.org/Media/Stories

To learn more about InnerVisions Recovery Society visit www.innervisionsrecovery.com

Contact:

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