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Partnership to Shelter Homeless in Vancouver

December 16, 2008

Vancouver - An unprecedented partnership between the Province, the City of Vancouver and the private sector will provide $1.5 million to create up to 200 temporary shelter beds in three locations for people who are homeless in Vancouver.
 
"Providing warm, safe shelter for every British Columbian facing the prospect of a night on the streets in harsh winter weather is a priority for all of us," said Premier Gordon Campbell. "Through shelters, we can connect homeless persons with other services, supports and permanent housing opportunities. We welcome this partnership with the new mayor and council to work together to break the cycle of homelessness."
 
Each partner will provide $500,000 to fund temporary overnight shelter beds for the next 90 days. The three locations are distributed across the city at Stanley / New Fountain (36 Blood Alley Square), 240 Northern Street and 1442 Howe Street. Once these locations are operational, the need for additional spaces will be evaluated.
 
"Since homelessness is the top priority of this council, we are taking immediate action to get people off the street and into a safe, warm environment," said Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver. "We recognize the value of leveraging partnerships with the Province and the private sector to create much-needed shelter."
 
This short-term response complements other provincial housing strategies already underway in Vancouver, including the purchase and renovation of 17 single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels, the development of over 1,400 new affordable housing units on 14 city sites, 687 beds funded through the Emergency Shelter Program, and 498 beds provided through the Extreme Weather Response program.
 
"We are pleased to partner with the Province and the City of Vancouver to provide temporary shelters to people who need it most," said John McLernon, chair of the Streetohome Foundation. "This partnership supports the mandate of the foundation to help people get off the street and into safe affordable housing."
B.C. to Keep Robson Square Open for Paralympics
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'Downtown Eastside Connect' Opens at Woodward's
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$3-Million Housing for Homeless Opens in Saanich
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Province Provides $37,000 Grant to Kelowna Winter Shelter
The Province is providing a $37,000 grant to the Inn from the Cold shelter to cover operating costs and allow them to continue to provide winter shelter.
$8.47 Million Shelter and Housing for Homeless in Duncan
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Affordable Seniors' Housing Breaks Ground in Kelowna
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15 Years and $14-Million Builds More Choice for At-Risk Youth
BladeRunners, an employment program that helps at-risk youth between ages 15-30 gain the skills they need to take control over their futures and develop career opportunities, will see an additional $14-million in funding over the next five years. Over the past few years, BladeRunners has averaged close to 300 trainees per year, with almost 90 per cent of participants successfully transitioning into full time employment.
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Province Confirms New BC Place Roof for 2011
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Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Information
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New Act Restricts Sale and Possession of Body Armour
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Outstanding Warrants to be Ineligible for Social Assistance
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Provincial and Federal Partnership to Electrify the North
The Northwest Transmission Line will now go ahead with the announcement of $130 million committed by the Government of Canada through the Green Infrastructure Fund. This is an important step towards building a powerline that has the potential to generate billions of dollars in capital investment, create thousands of new jobs and open economic opportunities on a global scale in the Northwest.
$40,000 for Con Air Means More Criminals Heading Home
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Government Supports Sports in British Columbia
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B.C. Gives $600K for Housing for Seniors and Veterans
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$1.8-Million for Specialized Employment Services
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Province Funds Extra Insurance for Rescue Groups
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BC Arts Council Provides $5.1-Million in Grant Awards
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New Housing Option for People at Howe Shelter
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B.C. and Kelowna Invest $8.4M in Housing for Homeless
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Update on Canada's First Community Court
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New $1-Million Skills Training Program for Rural Communities
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NDP Shows Dishonesty and Hypocrisy on Olympic Village
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Statement on Bountiful Special Prosecution
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Partnership to Shelter Homeless in Vancouver
An unprecedented partnership between the Province, the City of Vancouver and the private sector will provide $1.5 million to create up to 200 temporary shelter beds in three locations for people who are homeless in Vancouver.
Richmond Olympic Oval Officially Opened
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Torch Relay will Bring Spirit of the Games to 266 B.C. Communities
Premier Gordon Campbell was joined by representatives of VANOC and the Government of Canada to unveil the route for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, which will begin and end here in British Columbia.
Premier Announces $31-Million Cycling Investment
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Premier Opens Canada's First Community Court
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Crime Rate in B.C. Drops to Lowest in 30 Years
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Homeless Outreach Expands to Four More Communities
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Firefighters Benefit from Additional Cancer Coverage
The Province has added primary site testicular cancer to the list of cancers recognized as occupational diseases for firefighters.
Province Supports Unique New Centre for Addicted Youth
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Premier Unveils Tribute to BC Public Service Employees
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32 New Transition Beds for Homeless Youth
Premier Gordon Campbell was joined by provincial and community partners to celebrate a $5 million funding partnership for a major expansion to Covenant House Vancouver, a shelter and resource centre for homeless youth.
Improved Retirement Options for British Columbians
Amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Act (PBSA) will give British Columbians more flexibility and choices when planning for their retirement.
Premier Unveils New Vision for BC Place & Art Gallery
A major renovation of BC Place Stadium - including a retractable roof after 2010 - will expand the city's sport, culture and entertainment district; feature a new home for the Vancouver Whitecaps; and provide a waterfront site for a new Art Gallery.
B.C. Leads Nation in Interprovincial Migration
New figures from Statistics Canada show British Columbia led all provinces in interprovincial migration in 2007, attracting nearly 13,400 people, a 31 per cent increase over 2006.
New Child Care Spaces for Prince George
Almost $500,000 in provincial funding will help the Family YMCA of Prince George create 77 new licensed child-care spaces.
Province Buys Six Hotels to Expand and Protect Housing
The Province is purchasing another six single room occupancy (SRO) hotels with 330 units in Vancouver to reduce homelessness and help protect affordable housing stock for those most in need.
CP BC Spirit of 150 Train Connects Past and Future
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Roof Completion Marks Major Milestone for Richmond Oval
Premier Gordon Campbell, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and other dignitaries marked a construction milestone for a major Olympic venue as the final section of the Richmond Oval’s massive 6.5-acre roof was lifted into place.
Province to Raise Homeowner Grant Threshold
For the fifth consecutive year, the Province will increase the homeowner grant threshold in response to rising property values across British Columbia.
B.C. to Introduce Security-Enhanced Birth Certificates
Effective Jan. 2, 2008, British Columbia will introduce a new, more secure and durable format of birth certificate.
Non-Profit Operators Selected for SRO Hotel Buildings
People in the Downtown Eastside will have better links to support services and more stable housing with the selection of 10 non-profit organizations to operate the single room occupancy (SRO) hotels purchased this year by the Province.
Increase to Transition House Staffing Protects Women
Women and children seeking refuge from violence will soon have 24/7 access to all provincially funded transition houses, thanks to a $6-million boost over three years to the Province’s violence intervention supports.
BC Liberals Expand Homeless Shelters, Housing Supports
On the first anniversary of B.C.’s Housing Matters strategy, Premier Gordon Campbell and Housing Minister Rich Coleman announced new and expanded measures to help break the cycle of homelessness with an added $41 million.
Premier Announces Long-Term Flood Protection Funding
The BC Liberal government will provide $100 million over 10 years to communities across British Columbia for flood protection infrastructure and maintenance.
Premier Opens World-Class Sports Training Facility
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WelcomeBC to Help Immigrants Settle, Access Work
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$5.5 Million in Funding for Arts and Culture
Local artists and cultural organizations across B.C. have been awarded more than $5.5 million in BC Arts Council grants.
BC Liberal Government Provides $11 Million for PG Airport Expansion
The BC Liberal government will provide up to $11 million to the Prince George Airport for expansion of its main runway so it can service larger airlines flying between Asia and North America.
Air India Memorial Unveiled in Vancouver
Premier Gordon Campbell participated in the unveiling of the Air India memorial in Vancouver, dedicated to the memory of those lost 22 years ago on the flight and in a related explosion at Japan’s Narita Airport.
Province Funds BC2008 Community Celebrations
The Province will provide $1 million in funding to help communities stage local BC2008 celebrations, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858.
B.C. Gives $500,000 to Music Outreach Project for Youth
Vancouver inner city youth will benefit from a $500,000 grant to Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach – An Arts Umbrella Project.
BC Liberal Government to Protect 996 Affordable Housing Units
The BC Liberal government is funding 996 more units of supportive housing to reduce homelessness. The $80-million investment includes the purchase of 15 buildings in Vancouver, Victoria and Burnaby to protect affordable housing.
BC Liberal Government Increase Homeowner Grant Threshold
British Columbia will raise the home owner grant threshold in response to significant increases in property values.
LocalMotion Funding Now Available for Communities
Communities across B.C. are now eligible to access the new $40-million LocalMotion Fund, which will help build cycling and pedestrian pathways, improve safety and accessibility, and support children’s activity programs in playgrounds.
Premier Urges Joint Action on Housing Initiatives
Premier Gordon Campbell encouraged local governments to work with the Province to build more affordable housing and facilities to support people with mental illness and addictions.
Premier Announces New Funding for B.C. Municipalities
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New Strategy Improves Housing for Families, Homeless
Housing Matters BC, an innovative and comprehensive housing strategy to help British Columbians access affordable housing, will assist approximately 15,000 low-income working families and homeless individuals.
Foster Families to Benefit from $31-Million in New Funding
The majority of B.C.'s foster families will receive a rate increase of at least $200 per month, incrementally over the next three years.
$33 Million for Urgent Flood Protection
The BC Liberal government is providing $33 million to local governments, diking authorities and various ministry led projects across B.C. for critical flood protection projects that can be completed before spring runoff.
BC Liberal Government Boosts Disability Fund to $25 Million
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BC Liberal Government Helps Communities Bust Grow-Ops
Amendments to the Safety Standards Act will help local authorities target and shut down marijuana grow operations more quickly and efficiently.
Province and City Plan New Vancouver Cultural Precinct
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BC Liberal Government Moves to Reduce Sale of Tobacco to Minors
Changes to the Tobacco Sales Act introduced will improve compliance with the Tobacco Sales Act and in particular, better prevent youth access to tobacco products.
Funding Increase for Youth Addictions & Crystal Meth
B.C. is increasing annual funding by $8 million for crystal meth treatment options and youth addictions services, including increasing bed capacity for youth with addictions and building treatment programs and supports for crystal meth users.
B.C. Adds 10 New Police Officers to Fight Cybercrime
B.C. is adding 10 new police officers to special units fighting Internet child pornography and other cybercrime such as hacking and identity theft.
Early Learning and Child Care Agreement a Landmark for B.C.
The federal and provincial governments have reached a historic Agreement in Principle that further supports the development of quality early learning and child care (ELCC) for young children and their families in B.C.
Supreme Court Rules B.C. Can Hold the Tobacco Industry Accountable for Practices
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$7-Million in New Funding to Fight Crystal Meth
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B.C. Invests in Improving the Quality, Capacity and Accessibility of Child Care
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Premier Campbell Announces Funding to Finish Surrey Kabaddi Field
Premier Gordon Campbell announced today that a BC Liberal Government will invest up to $250,000 to provide seating and washrooms for the Kabaddi field at Surrey’s Sullivan Heights Park.
Premier Announces New Museum, Multicultural Dialogues, to Showcase, Strengthen and Unleash B.C.’S Diversity
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Gateway Visitor Centre to be Built in BC's Crossroads in Merritt
Canada’s Country Music Capital will be the home of B.C.’s newest and biggest Gateway Visitor Centre, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
$3.5-Million Grant to Support Canuck Place
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$10-million Invested to Make Schools Centres of Communities
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$4.6-Million Funding Increase Gives Families in Crisis Greater Access to Legal Services
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Premier Campbell Announces 215 More RCMP Officers to Fight Crime
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$12.5-Million in New Funding for Women's Transition Houses
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Persons on Disability Assistance to Receive the Largest Rate Increase in History of B.C.
Effective Dec. 22, each person on disability assistance will start receiving $70 more each month, representing a total funding increase of $55 million.
Communities to Receive 100 percent of Net Traffic Fine Revenues, Proceeds and Legislation to Make Streets Safer
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BC Liberal Government Implements Strategy to Fight Crystal Meth
An integrated B.C. strategy to prevent the use and harmful effects of crystal meth and other amphetamines.
$84-Million Agreement Signed for Affordable Housing
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B.C. - Canada Partnership to Build New Homes for Seniors
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Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257