$7.3-Million Supportive Housing Investment to Create 47 Jobs
KELOWNA – The Province is providing $7.3 million to construct a supportive housing building with 49 apartments at 195 Rutland Rd. N. to address homelessness, Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development, announced today.
“Today’s announcement completes the Province's commitment to invest more than $26 million to build three new supportive housing complexes for homeless British Columbians,” said Coleman. “Working with the City of Kelowna and our dedicated non-profit operators, these three developments will go a long way to reducing homelessness in the Kelowna area.”
“During my 10 years as an elected official, I have worked to increase the supply of attainable housing,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick. “That’s exactly what we are doing here, and this will complete a missing piece of the housing puzzle regarding homelessness.”
“As one of four city-owned sites we made available for supportive housing, it is great to hear that the funding has been secured, so now the supportive housing we wanted for this location can be established,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “This is another step forward in our partnership efforts to improve the lives of people facing homelessness in Kelowna, and to create more social service resources in our community.”
The Rutland Road site will provide 49 apartments with support services for adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The John Howard Society of the Central and South Okanagan (JHSCSO) will manage and operate the building. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
“Our Rutland apartments will provide longer-term, transitional housing for people who have already begun to stabilize themselves by living at a building like Cardington Apartments,” said Shelley Cook, executive director, John Howard Society of the Central and South Okanagan. “It’s the next step in the range of supportive housing that needs to be provided to help people along so they don’t end up homeless again.”
The other two supportive housing buildings are already under construction. Tutt Street Place, located at 2970 Tutt. St. and managed by New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society, will have 39 apartments for women with or without children.
Willowbridge, located at 330 Boyce Cres. and managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Kelowna and District Branch, will provide 40 apartments of short-term housing with support services for people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
In 2010-11, B.C.’s budget for social housing is approximately $562 million, more than four times as much as in 2001.
‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness. Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.
