Government of Canada and Victoria Women's Transition House Society Celebrate Renovations

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 27, 2011) - The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Victoria Women's Transition House Society (VWTHS) celebrated the completion of roof renovations at an emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of family violence in the Greater Victoria area.

"Our Government is proud to have invested in shelter renovations to Victoria Women's Transition House Society," said James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister for Official Languages and Minister responsible for British Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "Women and children who are in need of a hand up will find a safe and supportive place to live here, as well as the services they need to begin a new chapter in their lives."

The facility has eight bedrooms that can accommodate up to 18 women and children in times of need. The Government of Canada, through CMHC, provided $61,663 to VWTHS through the Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP). The program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and their children, youth or men who are victims of family violence. It also provides financial assistance for acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.

"As a charitable organization it is always challenging to find the funds needed to maintain our buildings, particularly when the roof design requires specialized skills to service and replace. However, with the assistance of this generous CMHC SEP grant we have been able to replace our worn roof and look forward to another 20 years of worry-free maintenance," said Carolyn Fast, Special Projects Manager, VWTHS. "We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of CMHC and our supplier, Flynn Canada."

Victoria Women's Transition House Shelter was built in 1991 with the assistance of many donors and funders, including the Government of Canada through the Project Haven program. The emergency shelter provides round the clock services for women and children who are victims of family violence in British Columbia. These services include all meals, emergency clothing, transportation to appointments, child care, supportive counseling, and referrals to other services needed.

In July 2011, federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for housing signed a new affordable housing Framework Agreement for the remaining three years of the federal, five-year affordable housing commitment of more than $1.9 billion made in September 2008. As part of the 2008 investment, the Affordable Housing Initiative and the federal renovation programs for low-income households were extended for two years, which represented some $60 million in federal funding for British Columbia.

Canada's Economic Action Plan built on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

A new agreement signed in July by the federal and provincial governments provides $90 million in federal funding for the remaining three years for British Columbians in housing need.

CMHC has been Canada's national housing agency for more than 65 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, environmentally sustainable, affordable housing solutions, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.

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