NEW $12.2-MILLION AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPENS IN VERNON

VERNON – Families will have better access to affordable housing and child-care services after today’s official opening of Kickwillie Place, a new $12.2-million development, providing 40 units of affordable housing and an onsite child-care facility in Vernon, announced Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “Our government is committed to providing affordable and appropriate housing to meet the needs of families and individuals in communities across British Columbia,” said Foster. “This new development will benefit our community by providing stable housing and child-care opportunities for people in need.”

The Province provided $11.2 million through the Aboriginal Housing Initiative (AHI) and a $210,000 grant through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) for a 16-space multi-age child-care centre. The City of Vernon provided a 60-year lease on the land, valued at $900,000. “Kickwillie Place will give children an opportunity to attend child care in a safe, caring environment, close to home,” said Mary Polak, Minister of Children and Family Development and Minister Responsible for Child Care. “A project like this does more than create child-care spaces – it meets a variety of community needs at once, supports families and demonstrates the value of strong partnerships to accomplish our goals.” “Increasing affordable housing in Vernon is highly supported by our city council,” said Vernon mayor Wayne Lippert. “The City of Vernon is proud to be a partner in this development because building a better life begins with access to stable and affordable housing.”

Vernon Native Housing Society (VNHS) will operate and manage the 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. “We strive to be innovative leaders who are committed to exploring new ways of providing supportive housing to Aboriginal people in Canada,” said Margaret Pfoh, president of AHMA, “The Aboriginal Housing Initiative provides new resources to create a range of affordable housing options. This development will give Vernon Native Housing Society the ability to help more people in need of affordable housing.”