The B.C. government will provide $350,000 to Atira Women's Resource Society to open a new building in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and create 36 housing units for women in the community.

The Empress Rooms, located at 362 Alexander Street, opens as Canada marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. A key component of the Empress is the support that will be available to residents to help them stabilize and start a new life. They will be connected to the community services they need, from medical services and counselling to long-term stable housing.

Tenants began moving into the building on Dec. 1, 2013. Atira will provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support to residents and work closely with other non-profit agencies in the community, such as WISH and the Bloom Group, to house women at risk.

For the last three years, through a Winter Response Strategy partnership with the City of Vancouver, the Province has funded up to 160 shelter spaces that operate 24/7 over the cold winter months. This year, the partners developed a more comprehensive plan, funding 75 shelters spaces, 40 rent supplements, 40 units of interim housing and the opening of the Empress Rooms.

Quotes:

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

"The Empress Rooms will give women in the community another safe housing option, where they can find security, stability and access to community services. While the 36 units at the Empress are being initiated under our Winter Response Strategy, this is permanent housing and will remain open year-round, offering support to women and a gateway to more stable housing. We continue to work with non-profits in the Downtown Eastside to help women move out of violent situations and access services within a supportive environment."

Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice -

"The Province has taken a number of actions - including providing significant supports for vulnerable women - that have made B.C. a safer place. These include funding housing options and services to help women move from environments of violence and uncertainty into safe, stable housing where they can begin to rebuild their lives. It is fitting to open the Empress Rooms on this National Day of Remembrance. This day is a reminder to all of us how important it is that we continue to take action, continue to reach out to vulnerable women and continue to support the work that goes on in our communities to help women escape violence and regain their independence."

City of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson -

"Protecting vulnerable women in the Downtown Eastside and providing them with safer housing options is one of the goals of our Winter Response strategy with the Province. The opening of the Empress Rooms builds on our work to open new winter shelters and help people transition into permanent homes."

Janice Abbott, CEO, Atira Women's Resource Society -

"Atira is committed to ensuring that women in the Downtown Eastside have access to safe, secure housing and the opening of the Empress Rooms allows us to provide 36 more options to women at risk of violence."

Quick Facts:

• In Vancouver, there are approximately 190 women-only shelter spaces that receive annual provincial funding of nearly $6 million.
• The Province now funds eight women-only supportive housing developments in the City of Vancouver, with more than 370 units; this includes the Empress Rooms.
• The Government of B.C. provides around $32 million annually to support more than 800 spaces in transition houses, safe houses and second stage housing across the province.
• The B.C. government spends close to $27 million annually to fund services for Vancouver's homeless. This includes permanent and temporary shelters as well as homeless outreach.

Learn More:

To learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness, visit: www.bchousing.org

To learn more about programs and services offered by the City of Vancouver, please visit: www.vancouver.ca

Media Contact:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
604 871-6336
mailto:media@vancouver.ca