Vulnerable individuals in need of affordable housing with supports now have a place to call home at Palmer Place, a new supportive housing site in Campbell River.

Located at 280 Nikola Rd., Palmer Place provides a four-bedroom group home for individuals with developmental disabilities and 24 supportive housing apartments for women - with or without children - who are at risk of homelessness.

The Campbell River and District Association for Community Living manages and operates Palmer Place. The Campbell River and District Association for Community Living and the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society also provided the tenants who reside in the 24 transitional apartments. The buildings were designed to LEED Gold standards.

The B.C. government provided $4.8 million in capital funding and will provide annual operational funding. The Campbell River and District Association for Community Living (CRDACL) contributed the land valued at $425,000.

A former residential group home was demolished for this new housing. The site consists of five separate single-storey, wood-frame buildings:

• Building A is the replacement group home which includes four bedrooms, an office, living room, kitchen and common space.

• Building B provides eight units of assisted living for individuals with disabilities.

• Building C provides six one-bedroom and two two-bedroom transitional units.

• Building D provides five one-bedroom, two two-bedroom and one three-bedroom transitional units and offices.

• Building E features amenities including storage, washrooms and a large common space.

Quotes:

Don McRae, MLA, Comox Valley -

"Our government strongly believes in projects like Palmer Place where integrated supports are available for vulnerable individuals who are in need of affordable housing. Palmer Place is already making a big difference in our community, transforming the lives of those who live here. I would like to thank our great community partners that made this housing site a success."

Walter Jakeway, mayor, City of

"Palmer Place is an excellent example of how efforts through strong partnerships bear fruitful housing solutions. I am pleased that vulnerable individuals in this building not only have access to more housing options, but the proper care and support they need to move forward."

Greg Hill, executive director, Campbell River and District Association for Community Living -

"Improving the services and quality of life for Campbell River-area residents with special needs is something our association strongly believes in. This is why we are delighted to provide our clients at Palmer Place with the support services and life skills workshops they need to positively impact their daily lives. My special thanks to our partners who are so essential to this project - BC Housing and Campbell River and North Island Transition Society."

Valery Puetz, executive director, Campbell River and North Island Transition Society -

"We are proud to provide support and improve the lives of the vulnerable women and children who call Palmer Place home. Our clients have taken great pride in their new homes here, which offer them a safe environment in which their needs are met."

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the B.C. government has invested $2.8 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 2010-11, the B.C. government invested over $3.4 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for 686 Campbell River households.

• The Campbell River and District Association for Community Living is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to advocate for and/or provide services for Campbell River-area people with specials needs and their families. The association's goal is to enable the people they serve to attain the greatest level of independence they wish, and to ensure that their basic human rights are respected.

• Established in 1985, Campbell River and North Island Transition Society is a non-profit registered society providing service to women and children who are dealing with issues of abuse and violence. Since 1987, CRNITIS has operated the Ann Elmore Transition House, which provides a shelter for women and children. In 1997, services were expanded to include residential recovery from substance addiction and various projects and programs have been added.

Learn More:

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

To learn more about Campbell River and District Association for Community Living, visit: www.cradacl.bc.ca

To learn more about Campbell River and North Island Transition Society, visit: www.annelmorehouse.ca

Media Contact:

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