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SAANICH – The Province has sold land worth $306,000 to the Habitat for Humanity Victoria at a cost of $10 and will provide additional funding for affordable housing units at two locations, enabling more families to purchase housing, announced Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman.
“Providing access to affordable homeownership is a principal goal of our housing strategy. It offers British Columbians more stability and a sense of belonging in the community,” said Coleman. “By selling the Ker Avenue lot for just $10, the Province is providing new opportunities to Saanich families, and helping them purchase their homes.”
This partnership results from the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Province and Habitat for Humanity Canada on May 12, 2008. Through this MOU, the Province is allocating $25,000 per housing unit, to a total maximum of $500,000 towards the development of affordable homeownership projects for low- to moderate-income families in British Columbia. This agreement was the first of its kind in Canada.
“Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity will benefit municipalities like Saanich by contributing to safe, stable, family-oriented communities,” said Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and MLA for Saanich and the North Islands. “By giving families access to affordable homeownership, we’re helping to create the best and most supportive housing system in Canada.”
“The Housing Endowment Fund is an
innovative way to provide support to housing programs that don’t fit other
funding models,” said Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “In this case, we are able to help local
families purchase their homes, something they may not have been able to do on
their own.”
“We are so thrilled that Habitat for Humanity Victoria has chosen two properties in Saanich that will provide affordable housing to our families,” said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard. “This partnership is a great testament to what can happen when government and non-profit societies join forces to help those in greatest need.”
The Province sold the vacant lot at 409 Ker Ave. to Habitat for Humanity Victoria for $10.00 and will provide $25,000 per housing unit once plans are finalized. The lot is 664.6 square metres (7,154 square feet) and has an assessed value of $306,000. Additionally, the Province is providing $125,000 to the five-unit Bethune Flex-Plex located at 3494 Bethune Ave. Both projects are being funded through Housing Endowment Fund.
“The Habitat housing program is about affordable homeownership and providing a long-term solution designed to break the poverty cycle,” said Patti Sullivan, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Victoria. “Our partnership with the Province through their Housing Endowment Fund has given us the ability to help more families in more communities across the province.”
Habitat for Humanity is an independent, world-wide charitable housing program dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need. Habitat builds simple, decent, and affordable houses and provides interest-free mortgages to families who would otherwise not be able to purchase their own home. Habitat chooses families based on their current living situation, ability to pay a mortgage and their willingness to dedicate the time and effort to work towards the goal of responsible home ownership. This includes “Sweat Equity” – 500 hours helping build their own and their neighbours’ houses and volunteering their time at Habitat fundraising events or at the ReStore.
The $250-million Housing Endowment
Fund was established in the 2007 Provincial Budget. The fund generates
investment revenue, which is used to fund new ideas and support innovative
housing solutions that meet the diverse housing needs of British Columbians.
‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness. Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.
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Contact: |
Rachel Nelken BC Housing 778 452-2719 604 505-8428 (cell) |
Patti Sullivan Habitat for Humanity Victoria 250 220-4559 |
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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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