Aboriginal youth and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness will soon have access to more affordable rental housing now that construction is underway for the Hope Centre, a new 25-unit development in the District of Sooke.

Located at 6750 West Coast Rd., the new four-storey building will consist of 18 studio units, seven one-bedroom apartments and commercial space on the ground level.

• The Government of Canada will provide over $1.8 million.
• The B.C. Government will provide approximately $1 million and $781,897 in construction financing towards the affordable rental housing component. 
• The District of Sooke provided $80,000.
• The Capital Regional District's Regional Housing Trust Fund will provide $375,000.
• The M'akola Housing Society contributed $375,000.
• The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul provided the land valued at $370,500 and will provide over $1.2 million in long-term financing through a third party lender for the commercial portion.
• The M'akola Housing Society and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will jointly provide $34,532.

The M'akola Housing Society will own and operate the affordable rental housing component of the Hope Centre. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will own and operate the commercial component of the building, which will include a new thrift store that replaces the one originally located on the property.

Construction is estimated to be complete by fall 2014.

Quotes:

The Honourable Candice Bergen, Federal Minister of State (Social Development) -

"Our government is helping Canadians with housing needs break free from the negative consequences of homelessness and ensure their long-term prosperity. By working with organizations such as the Hope Centre, we are providing essential support to Aboriginal youth and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Sooke."

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

"The B.C. Government is committed to seeking out creative housing solutions to help those in greatest need across British Columbia. The Hope Centre will provide Aboriginal youth and those at risk a safe, affordable place to call home. With stable housing, this is where they can begin to build a more secure future for themselves and achieve their potential."

Mayor Wendal Milne, District of Sooke -

"The District of Sooke is a proud supporter of creating more affordable housing projects like Hope Centre for youth and individuals at risk of homelessness in our community. I'd like to thank all our partners and in particular the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and M'akola Housing Society for their vision and hard work in developing the Hope Centre."

Paul Gerrard, chairman, Capital Region Housing Trust Fund Commission -

"The Capital Regional District believes strongly that increasing access to affordable housing for individuals at risk in the capital region makes for a healthier, vibrant community for all. That is why we are proud to contribute $375,000 towards the development of Hope Centre so that aboriginal youth and those at risk in this community can benefit from this building for years to come."

Angela Hudson, executive director, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul -

"Our society is pleased to partner with M'akola so that 25 individuals in need from this community will soon have a new place to call home. These affordable rental apartments will also be coupled with a brand new thrift store and new social service orientated space, allowing the potential of this site to be maximized so that we can better serve those at risk in our community with our services."

Kevin Albers, chief executive officer, M'akola Housing Society -

"It's our hope, along with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul's, that the Hope Centre will be a catalyst for more progressive and innovative aboriginal housing solutions for those in need. I'd like to thank all our partners for making this groundbreaking a reality, and I look forward to bringing our society's decades of experience to serve all those who will call the Hope Centre home, when complete."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. Government has invested $3.6 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 98,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• In 2012-13, the B.C. Government invested over $1.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for nearly 170 Sooke households.
• The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Canada is a lay Catholic organization whose mission is to live the Gospel message, serving vulnerable at risk individuals through a variety of programming, housing and other social services.
• Established in 1984, the M'akola Housing Society is a non-profit society dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing for families of First Nations ancestry on Vancouver Island.

Learn More:

Information on the Community Partnership Initiative: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Financing/CPI

To learn more about the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, visit: http://svdpvictoria.com/home.php

To learn more about M'akola Housing Society, visit: http://www.makola.bc.ca

Media Contact:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445