The Province and The Salvation Army announced today the purchase and redevelopment of the Cedar Lodge Motor Inn to provide shelter and transitional beds for people who are homeless in Fort St. John.

The Province will invest approximately $3.2 million to purchase and redevelop the building. The Salvation Army will contribute $1 million in cash equity.

Located at 9824 - 99th Ave. in Fort St. John, this two-storey building will be managed and operated by The Salvation Army. When the redevelopment is complete, the facility will include 10 minimum-barrier transitional beds, 20 shelter beds and 26 transitional beds.

The society will also provide residents access to on- and off-site support services, amenity space for addictions programming as well as a drop-in meal centre six days a week for people in need.

Quotes:

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

"The renovations at Cedar Lodge Motor Inn will increase the number of shelter and transitional beds for people who are homeless in the area. But this project isn't about a building - it's about the individuals who will transition through this facility as a first step towards stabilizing their housing and an opportunity to change their lives."

Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North -

"Access to shelter beds for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is important for our community. Our government is proud to partner with organizations like The Salvation Army to ensure that individuals at risk will have increased access to beds as well as the necessary support systems."

Mayor Lori Ackerman, City of Fort St. John -

"I would like to thank The Salvation Army and the Province for partnering together to make this initiative a reality. This is a positive step forward toward ending homelessness."

Captain Ben Lippers, The Salvation Army -

"The Salvation Army has 130 years of experience giving hope and support to vulnerable individuals in Canada. This redevelopment project provides us the opportunity to expand our services and enables us to continue and provide for those at risk with the care and support they need."

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the provincial government 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 $3.1 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 370 Fort St. John households.
• The Salvation Army is an international Christian non-profit organization dedicated to providing social services and assistance to those that are marginalized and overlooked in over 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries around the globe.

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 Salvation Army, visit: http://www.salvationarmy.ca

Media contact:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789