Today marked the official opening of the Hope Centre, a new 25-unit development in the District of Sooke, providing more affordable housing options for Aboriginal youth and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The new four-storey building, located at 6750 West Coast Rd., features 18 studio units, seven one-bedroom apartments and commercial space on the ground level that includes a thrift store and a yoga studio.

A number of government and community partners contributed funding to the project:
 

• The Government of Canada provided $1.8 million through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, along with a $10,000 Seed grant.
• The B.C. government contributed approximately $1 million in grant funding and $781,897 in construction financing towards the residential capital costs.
• The Capital Regional District’s Regional Housing Trust Fund provided $375,000.
• Mis’kow’aao Development Society contributed $375,000.
• The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul provided the land valued at $370,500 and provided over $1.2 million in long-term financing through a third party lender for the commercial construction.
• M’akola Housing Society and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul jointly provided $34,532.
• The District of Sooke waived approximately $80,000 in development cost charges.

The M’akola Housing Society owns and operates the affordable rental housing component of the Hope Centre. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul owns and operates the non-profit commercial component of the building, which includes a new thrift store, replacing the one originally located on the property.

Quotes:

Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development -

“Having a safe and secure place to call home is the first step in ensuring all individuals, including youth, have the best possible opportunity to live up to their full potential. Our government is making smart investments in places like the Hope Centre to ensure that attainable housing is available for those who may otherwise struggle with homelessness. I’m very happy to hear that Hope Centre is already making a positive difference in the lives of people in Sooke.”

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

“The B.C. government believes in taking a more proactive approach to help break the cycle of homelessness and the Hope Centre is a testament to this. By connecting at-risk youth with an affordable home to call their own, preventing them from becoming homeless, they now have the time and security needed to help rebuild their lives.”

Mayor Maja Tait, District of Sooke -

“The District of Sooke is a proud partner of this new affordable housing project for youth in our community. I already see the positive impact that the Hope Centre is making here and I’d like to thank our government partners along with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and M’akola Housing Society for making Hope Centre a reality.”

Nils Jensen, board chair, Capital Regional District -

“Having a safe and permanent home is a vital first step towards empowering individuals to find a new path in life. I am thrilled to see the Sooke Hope Centre become a reality and for the opportunity to partner in the development of this affordable housing solution.”

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

“Our partnership with M’akola Housing for the development of Hope Centre is everything we’ve envisioned together and more. Our brand new thrift store and mixed use non-residential space provides our society with the space needed to maximize our services so that we can better serve those at-risk in our community.”

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

“Our shared vision with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was to figure the best way to utilize this land to best serve this community and those who call Hope Centre home. We believe this balanced combination of affordable housing and commercial space can serve as a template for similar affordable Aboriginal housing developments in the future.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income people, seniors and families in communities across the province. To find out more about the B.C. government’s provincial housing strategy, visit: www.housingmattersbc.ca
• Each year, more than 100,000 B.C. households benefit from a range of provincial housing services, including 10,000 families and 17,000 seniors households that receive rental supplements.
• Last year, the Province invested over $829,000 to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for nearly 180 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 individuals at-risk 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 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 Contacts:

Elaine McKay
BC Housing
778 452-6476