VERNON – Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen presented
cheques today totalling $53,000 to two local Aboriginal groups working to develop affordable and supportive housing for families and youth. “This funding will help these groups to further develop their plans for new housing projects for those who are at risk of homelessness,” said Christensen. “The Province relies on partnerships with local non-profit groups to ensure people have the opportunity to access safe, stable, and affordable housing, while also helping to connect people at risk of homelessness with the support services and resources needed to stabilize their lives.”The First Nations Friendship Centre Society (FNFCS) received $26,500 to develop a proposal for 30 units that will house and provide support services for youth recovering from addictions and mental health issues. The supported housing units will help youth make the transition to independent living. FNFCS was incorporated in 1977 and operates a youth-at-risk facility as well as a four-bed emergency safe house for a total of 18 youth housing units in Vernon.
The Vernon Native Housing Society (VNHS) received $26,500 to develop a proposal for 40 townhomes for urban Aboriginal families who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. VNHS has worked towards providing urban Aboriginal people in the City of Vernon with safe, clean, comfortable and affordable rental housing since 1989. VNHS currently operates 62 units of affordable housing for families, singles and persons with disabilities.
Funding to develop these proposals is being provided under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The Province has now committed to creating nearly 1,300 new housing units. The Initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness by integrating support services with housing so people may move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, gain greater self-reliance, and achieve appropriate employment.
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