The B.C. government is providing $135,000 in additional support to the Community Development Institute. The funding will be used to expand their involvement with key stakeholders and continue their research on housing issues and opportunities in northern communities.

In January 2012, the B.C. government provided a $50,000 grant to the Community Development Institute. That funding established information-sharing between the Community Development Institute and BC Housing, and allowed the institute to obtain additional funding commitments from other stakeholders.

Since then, the Community Development Institute has accomplished a number of initiatives including assisting the District of Kitimat in preparing the community for economic expansion and offering the Prince George Housing Issues course at the University of Northern British Columbia.

The institute's work supports the Homeowner Protection Act's mandate to improve the quality of residential construction in British Columbia.

Quotes:

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

"The B.C. government supports the Community Development Institute's work with northern communities to improve housing stability, the quality of residential construction and greater economic opportunity for everyone living in northern communities."

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General and MLA for Prince George-Valemount-

"In this period of economic growth and opportunity in northern British Columbia, it's imperative that we work to ensure that everyone in the North has access to safe, stable housing. Now more than ever we need to work with partners like the Community Development Institute to ensure a prosperous North in the future."

Greg Halseth, director, Community Development Institute -

"We are on the cusp of the most significant community and economic transformation since the 1950s. Our work at the Community Development Institute helps communities get ready for these changes and take advantage of the opportunities that this growth and transformation will bring."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2003, the Community Development Institute has been working with communities across northern B.C. to help them diversify their economies thereby mitigating the impact of resource sector boom and bust cycles resulting in more sustained and predictable economic growth and prosperity.

• 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.

• Last year, the B.C. government invested over $32 million to support subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 4,800 households in the northern region.

• This includes providing support for more than 2,000 senior households and over 1,800 family households.

Learn More:

To learn more about BC Housing, please visit: www.bchousing.org

To learn more about the Community Development Institute, visit: http://www.unbc.ca/cdi/

Media Contact:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445
604 561-4375 (cell)