NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Ministry of Housing and Social Development 2010HSD0067-000866
July 23, 2010
$7.9-MILLION AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPENS IN WILLIAMS LAKE
WILLIAMS LAKE – Low-income Aboriginal adults now have better access to affordablehousing with the opening of Eagle’s Nest, a new $7.9-million building providing 33 suites in Williams Lake, announced Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin.
“We are committed to creating affordable housing solutions across B.C. to helpcommunities like Williams Lake meet the needs of its citizens,” said Barnett. “Eagle’s Nest willbe a place of comfort, safety and community for individuals who may have experienced housing challenges in the past. I would like to welcome residents to their new home and thank Cariboo Friendship Society for working with the Province to bring this much-needed housing tofruition.”
The Province provided a capital grant of $7.2 million through the Aboriginal Housing Initiative (AHI), which was created to provide funding to develop new, affordable housing for Aboriginal people living off-reserve and to meet long-term Aboriginal housing needs.
In addition, the Province provided mortgage financing of $506,659. The City of Williams Lake provided development cost relief of $57,453 and Cariboo Friendship Society provided land equity estimated at $98,545.
“Eagle’s Nest is a welcome addition to our community. I would like to acknowledge Cariboo Friendship Society for their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of those in needand for their hard work in bringing this building to completion,” said Mayor Kerry Cook, City ofWilliams Lake.
Cariboo Friendship Society (CFS) was selected to manage and operate Eagle’s Nestthrough 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 continue to explore new ways to provide supportive and affordable housing forAboriginal people in British Columbia by working with off-reserve Aboriginal communities to holistically address their housing needs,” said Andrew Leach, CEO of AHMA. “I am pleased tosee this much needed building officially open today to house members from the Aboriginalcommunity of Williams Lake.”
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A backgrounder follows.
Media Contact: Rhonda Nguyen BC Housing
604 439-4740 604 374-8301
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“The opening of Eagle’s Nest has brought us one step closer to our goal of providing safe affordable housing that meets the needs of our diverse community,” said Rosanna McGregor, assistant director, Cariboo Friendship Society. “This building is also a model for energy and water conservation measures and has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design recognition. I would like to thank the Province for partnering with us on this importantproject.”
The AHI has allocated 200 housing units in eight communities across the province. The units are being funded with $50.9 million in one-time funds through the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust, which was transferred from the Government of Canada to the Province, and is designed to address the housing needs of clients, like those of the Cariboo Friendship Society. The Province is working in consultation with AHMA to administer the trust.
In 2010-11, the Province will invest over $562 million to provide affordable housing and fight homelessness – more than four times as much as in 2001. For a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness, visit the ‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ website www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
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For Immediate Release 2010HSD0067-000866 July 23, 2010
BACKGROUNDER
Ministry of Housing and Social Development
EAGLE’S NEST
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Cariboo Friendship Society’s Eagle’s Nest, located at 228 South Third Ave. in Williams Lake,provides 33 affordable suites for low-income Aboriginal adults.
The new four-storey, wood-frame building is comprised of 16 one-bedroom suites and 17 two- bedroom suites, as well as four offices, a craft and storage room, and a residents’ laundry room. The building was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver recognition.
Construction completed in June 2010 and the building is fully occupied.
PARTNERS AND FUNDING
The capital cost of this development is approximately $7.9 million:
The Province provided a $7.2-million grant through the Aboriginal Housing Initiative (AHI) and $506,659 in mortgage financing.
The City of Williams Lake provided $57,453 in development cost relief.
Cariboo Friendship Society provided land equity estimated at $98,545.
CARIBOO FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
Incorporated in 1969, the Cariboo Friendship Society (CFS) is a non-profit Aboriginal Centre of Friendship offering holistic services to all people. CFS offers social service programs, recreational and cultural activities, and education and housing support. The society currently manages 96 units of affordable housing for low- to moderate-income Aboriginal individuals and families in Williams Lake.
Media Contact: Rhonda Nguyen BC Housing
604 439-4740 604 374-8301
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
