By Rich Coleman
Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for Housing

VICTORIA - As we spent time with friends and family this past weekend, we should keep in mind there are people in our communities who are unable to find affordable housing, or need to seek support at shelters on a regular basis.

Oct. 12-18 is Homelessness Action Week in B.C., and it gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the individuals and organizations in the Fraser Valley that dedicate their time and effort to help end homelessness in our communities.

We work hard to provide safe, affordable housing. Last year, the provincial government provided more than $99 million to housing supports - including $29 million for 1,900 housing units in the Valley.

Through our regional homelessness outreach teams, the Province is able to provide services across the entire housing spectrum, connecting people with a variety of supports to meet individual needs. Examples of these services are providing income assistance, addiction services and health services. In the Fraser Valley, there are nearly 290 permanent year-round emergency shelter spaces. In addition, there are more than 1,100 subsidized units for the homeless. We also provided 500 homeless rent supplements last year to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to find housing in the private market.

We also support thousands of families in the region through our Rental Assistance Program.  Last year we assisted over 4,400 low-income, working families with rental supplements to keep life more affordable.

The Province also supports seniors in our communities through the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters, providing rental assistance to over 5,900 low-to-moderate income seniors. Earlier this year, in partnership with the City of Abbotsford, the Lynnhaven Society and the Government of Canada, we opened Lynnhaven, a 64-unit affordable housing development for seniors in Abbotsford. We will continue to build partnerships to increase affordable housing opportunities in our communities because we all deserve to live in healthy, vibrant neighbourhoods.

Since 2006, more than 100,000 households in British Columbia have benefited from a variety of provincial housing options. This achievement would not be possible without the support and dedication of our community partners, organizations, staff and volunteers. They are the people that make the Fraser Valley a better place to live - for all of us.

Find out more about the Province’s housing investments in the Fraser Valley:
www.housingmattersbc.ca/docs/fs_Fraser_Region.pdf