Housing For Aboriginal Families Breaks Ground

Ministry of Housing and Social Development

PORT ALBERNI - Construction has started on a $ 7.9-million social
housing development for Aboriginal families that will provide 14
housing units, two youth dormitories and programming space, announced
Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development.

"With this new affordable housing, the Province is supporting families
who are at risk of homelessness and may be affected by drug and alcohol
addiction," said Coleman. "It will provide a stable base, supports and
new opportunities for Aboriginal families who are working towards
long-term independence."

The Province is providing close to $ 6 million in a capital grant for
construction and renovations at 7830 Beaver Creek Road in Port Alberni.
The grant is part of the Aboriginal Housing Initiative (AHI), which
provides funding to develop affordable housing for Aboriginal people
living off-reserve, and addresses a range of Aboriginal housing needs,
including those for youth, women, elders, and people with alcohol and
drug addictions.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate are providing $ 630,000 towards the
development. The Kakawis Family Development Centre was established in
the early 1970s by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in collaboration with
the Sisters of St. Anne and a number of First Nations individuals from
the West Coast.

"Our many partnerships are key to realizing our mission of helping the
poor and most vulnerable by creating safe, supportive communities
across Canada," said Father Tim Coonen, Treasurer, Oblates of Mary
Immaculate. "We are delighted to see that Kakawis is continuing their
powerful work of healing that began some 35 years ago."

The Real Estate Foundation of BC will provide a $ 250,000 grant. This
funding meets the foundation's mission to support sustainable real
estate and land-use practices for the benefit of British Columbians.

"This new development will make a real difference for families and for
the community of Port Alberni as a whole," said Jack Hall, chair of the
Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia. "We're pleased to be a part
of this special partnership with the Province, Kakawis Family
Development Centre Association, and community agencies."

Kakawis Family Development Centre Association (KFDCA) will operate and
manage the new development. The society was one of the successful
proponents following a proposal call for AHI housing developments
issued in 2007 in consultation with the Aboriginal Housing Management
Association (AHMA). Formed in B.C. in the mid-1990s, AHMA is the only
Aboriginal social housing management agency in Canada.

"There is a broad range of housing needed in Port Alberni and the
Aboriginal Housing Initiative helps provide new resources to create
housing," said Andrew Leach, CEO of the AHMA. "By providing affordable
housing with culturally appropriate supports, this development will
help vulnerable families bridge the gap between stable housing and
homelessness."

"We are committed to offering a program that promotes a balanced
lifestyle and a renewed sense of cultural identity and pride to First
Nation families whose lives have been affected by alcohol or drugs,"
said Sadie Greenaway, executive director, KFDCA. "Through this new
development, we will be meeting our goal of providing stable,
supportive housing for families in greatest need."

More than 200 new Aboriginal housing units will be developed through
the Aboriginal Housing Initiative, created with $ 50.9 million in
one-time funds through the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust. The
fund was transferred from the Government of Canada to the Province and
is designed to address the housing needs of clients, like those of the
Kakawis Family Development Centre Association. The Province is working
in consultation with AHMA to administer the trust.

Budget 2008 increased the amount the Province invests in affordable
housing and shelters to more than $ 400 million a year, more than three
times as much as in 2001.

CONTACT: Patricia Lusic, BC Housing
Tel: +1 604 314 1458
Sadie Greenaway, Kakawis Family Development Centre Association
Tel: +1 250 725 3951
Father Tim Coonen, Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Tel: +1 613 230 2225 ext: 225
Celina Owen, Real Estate Foundation of BC
Tel: +1 604 668 6800
WWW: http://www.gov.bc.ca

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