Victoria – September 8, 2010 – The Province announced it is investing $2.5 million in two former Traveller's Inn Motels. The funding will be allocated to Traveller's Inn sites at 710 Queens Ave. and 120 Gorge Rd. and will provide approximately 75 affordable rental units for people in Victoria who are at risk of homelessness.

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Richmond – June 18, 2010 – The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, broke ground on the Remy, a 188-unit housing development for low-income seniors, singles and families, including market apartments and a daycare. The Province is investing $2,375,000 in capital costs for the Remy site, which will feature the first six-storey wood frame residential buildings to be built in B.C.

Premier Gordon Campbell; Alice Wong, MP for Richmond; Mayor Malcolm Brodie; Peter Kwok, Borad Chair, S.U.C.C.E.S.S; Dana Westermark, President, Oris Development; Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East; Rob Howard, MLA for Richmond Centre.

VANCOUVER - May 25, 2010 - The Province of British Columbia, City of Vancouver and the Streetohome Foundation announced they are investing $225 million to provide more than 1,000 new supportive-housing units in Vancouver. Left to right: Mayor Gregor Robertson, Minister Rich Coleman, Judy Graves, Vancouver City Outreach Worker, and John McLernon, Chair of S2H Foundation.

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VANCOUVER - May 25, 2010 - Rich Coleman addresses the crowd during a joint announcement by the Province, City of Vancouver and Streetohome Foundation to provide $225 million towards 1,006 new supportive-housing units in Vancouver. The Province is providing $205 million and the Streetohome Foundation is providing $20 million towards construction as part of a new agreement that will see the foundation raise money from the private sector. The City of Vancouver provided the eight sites, valued at about $32 million.

Kamloops - May 21, 2010 - Rich Coleman announces the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kamloops Branch, in partnership with the ASK Wellness Centre, has been selected as the non-profit operator for a new centralized co-ed emergency shelter with transition housing located at 259 W Victoria St. in Kamloops.
Left to right: Mayor Peter Milobar, City of Kamloops, Dr. Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson, Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development, Cathy McLeod – MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, Bob Hughes, ED for ASK Wellness Centre, Doug Sage, ED for CMHA - Kamloops.

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KELOWNA – May 14, 2010 – Minister Rich Coleman announced the Province is providing $7.3 million to construct a supportive housing building with 49 apartments at 195 Rutland Rd. N. to address homelessness in Kelowna.

From left: MLA Norm Letnick; Shelley Cook, executive director for the John Howard Society of the Central and South Okanagan; Kelowna Deputy Mayor Kevin Craig; Minister Rich Coleman; Minister Ben Stewart and Minister Steve Thomson.

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VICTORIA - December 7, 2009 - Housing Minister Rich Coleman and Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin announce the construction of a $32 million apartment building, providing a combination of 120 affordable homeownership and rental units, as part of the redevelopment of the former Hudson's Bay site in downtown Victoria.

Left to Right: Rick Ilich, President, Townline Group of Companies, Minister Murray Coell, Minister Rich Coleman, Mayor Dean Fortin.

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Housing Minister Rich Coleman answers reporters’ questions following the announcement that the Province is funding an innovative $32 million affordable housing project at Hudson Mews in Victoria, providing affordable rental housing and homeownership for moderate-income earners.

VANCOUVER – October 14, 2009 - The Provincial and Federal Governments are partnering to renovate 101 social housing developments across British Columbia. The renovation and retrofit projects will take place over the next two years using joint funding of approximately $177 million, creating an estimated 1,130 jobs. The majority of the Housing Renovation Partnership funding, approximately $164 million, will be directed toward repairs at 81 social housing developments. The remainder of the funding, approximately $13 million, is being allocated to renovations at provincially-owned Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels.

Left to Right: Karen Stone, Executive Director of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association; Minister Rich Coleman; Honourable Stockwell Day; Premier Gordon Campbell.

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VICTORIA - September 21, 2009 - A groundbreaking was held to mark the start of construction of a new 44-unit housing development in Victoria, providing support for people at risk of homelessness and creating about 98 new jobs. Left to right: Minister Rich Coleman; Karyn French, Executive Director, Pacifica Housing Advisory Association; Corrina Craig, President, Pacifiaca Housing Advisory Association; Mayor Dean Fortin, City of Victoria.

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Minister Rich Coleman addresses audience members at the Humboldt Street groundbreaking. The development will provide 44 housing units with integrated support services to help people move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, greater self-reliance and appropriate employment.

Vancouver – July 29, 2009 - Minister Rich Coleman (second from left) breaks ground at the Union Gospel Mission’s (UGM) largest expansion in the organization’s history: the construction of a much-needed new building. Minister Coleman is joined by (l to r) Mark DuMerton, UGM Board Member and Chair of the Building Committee, City of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, and Bill Mollard, UGM President.

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Vancouver – July 28, 2009 - Minister Rich Coleman (second from left) breaks ground at the new $21.6-million supportive housing development on Station Street that will provide 80 studio apartments for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Minister Coleman is joined by (l to r) Liz Evans, PHS Community Services Society, City of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, and Minister Mary McNeil.

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Vancouver – April 8, 2009 – Minister Rich Coleman announces a partnership between the Government of Canada and Province of B.C. to launch a new, $123-million Seniors’ Rental Housing Initiative to build up to 1,000 new housing units for seniors and people with disabilities. Minister Coleman is joined by (l to r) Federal Minister of State for Sport Gary Lunn, Karen Stone, BC Non Profit Housing Association, and Premier Gordon Campbell.

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Nanaimo – April 6, 2009 – Minister Rich Coleman announces a $14.95-million investment in two new housing developments that will create 96 jobs and provide a total of 50 new housing units for homeless British Columbians. Minister Coleman is joined by (l to r) Grace Elliott, Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and Mayor John Ruttan, City of Nanaimo.

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Surrey – April 3, 2009 – Minister Rich Coleman announces provincial funding of $32.9 million for two new housing developments that will create 211 jobs in Surrey, as well as the start of construction for the Maxxine Wright Centre in Surrey. Coleman is joined by Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave S. Hayer (second from right), Surrey Mayor Diane Watts (third from right) and representatives from the organizations who will run the new housing developments.

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Campbell River – April 6, 2009 – Minister Rich Coleman announces funding of $7.3 million for a 24-unit housing development that will create 47 jobs in Campbell River, as well as a $99,000 Housing Endowment Grant to help the John Howard Society renovate the six-unit Barnett House for youth. Minister Coleman is joined by (l to r) Greg Hill, Campbell River and District Association for Community Living, and Mayor Charlie Cornfield, City of Campbell River.

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Burnaby – March 20, 2009 - Burnaby-Willingdon MLA John Nuraney (second from left) breaks ground for 70 new units of seniors’ supportive housing. Nuraney is joined by (l to r) Joan Holland, Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Command, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, and George Burnett and Stephanie Watts of the South Burnaby Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 83.

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An artist rendering depicts what the new social housing development will look like at 5289 Grimmer Street once construction is complete.

VICTORIA – March 19, 2009 – Minister Rich Coleman breaks ground for the new social housing development on Ellice Street with the help of (l to r) Kathy Stinson, Victoria Cool Aid Society (VCAS), Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin, Minister Ida Chong and Don McTavish, VCAS. The Province provided $27.4 million for two new supportive housing developments, creating 272 jobs in Victoria.

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Minister Coleman announces the two new social housing developments with the help of McTavish, Mayor Fortin and Stinson.

Minister Coleman talks about the benefits the new social housing developments will have for the Victoria community.

Minister Coleman and Mayor Fortin unveil a model of the future Ellice Street development.

An artist rendering depicts what the new social housing development will look like at 525 Ellice Street once construction is complete.

Vancouver – January 30, 2009 - Premier Gordon Campbell is joined by Minister Rich Coleman and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson to announce a $34 million investment to acquire 15 properties, located in 10 communities, which will provide over 600 units of housing with integrated support services once renovations are complete. This acquisition brings the total number of properties acquired by the Province since 2001 to protect and create affordable housing to 45, and the total number of units in those properties to almost 2,030.

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Hazelwood Hotel, located at 342/4 East Hastings Street in Vancouver, will provide 133 single room occupancy (SROs) units with on-site support services.

London Hotel, located at 700 Main Street in Vancouver and operated by Atira Women’s Housing Society, will provide 72 SRO units with on-site support services.

The SRO hotel located at 566 Powell Street in Vancouver will provide 12 units of affordable housing with on-site support services.

Backpackers is located at 7/11 East Cordova in Vancouver and will provide 40 SRO units with on-site support services.

Cordova Residence, located at 54 East Cordova in Vancouver, will provide 37 SRO units and on-site support services. Lookout Emergency Aid Society will operate Cordova Residence.

Dominion Hotel, located at 210 Abbott Street and 92 Water Street, will provide 67 SRO units and on-site support services.

The vacant facility located at 7755 Grand Street in Mission will provide 48 SRO units and on-site support services.

Desert Valley Care, located at 22 Jonagold Place in Osoyoos, will provide 10 SRO units with on-site support services.

Hansel & Gretel Motel, located at 2872 Skaha Road in Penticton, will provide 40 SRO units with on-site support services.

Jamboree Motel, located at 845 Carson Drive in Williams Lake, will provide 33 SRO units with on-site support services.

The Province purchased River Run Homes in Nanaimo to invest in a pilot project in affordable homeownership.

Highland Valley is a 32-unit ranch with acreage on Tunkwa Rd. near Logan Lake. The property will be converted into a therapeutic community for people who are homeless or at risk of homeless and recovering from addictions and mental health issues.

Interior Community Services Society will manage Acadia Building, located at 253 – 295 4th Ave in Kamloops, and provide support services.

Astoria Hotel, located at 1125 2nd Ave in Prince George, will provide 21 SRO units with on-site support services.

SURREY – July 17 2010 –  Rich Coleman joined community partners and tenants to celebrate the Province’s investment of $21.8 million for the largest solar panel installation in Western Canada as well as environmental improvements and building envelope repairs at Greenbrook, a public housing complex providing 127 town homes for families in Surrey.

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Vancouver - May 28, 2010 Rich Coleman joins government and non-profit colleagues for the official opening of more than 200 affordable rental apartments for singles, families and people with disabilities at the new Woodward's development in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The Province provided $22 million in mortgage financing and will be providing an additional $1.78 million in annual operating funding for the singles and family apartments.

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Sicamous – March 21, 2009 - Health Services Minister George Abbott (second from right) cuts the ribbon at the official opening of Eagle Valley Manor, a new $5.7 million development providing 12 assisted living units to Sicamous seniors. Abbott is joined by (l to r) Mayor Malcolm MacLeod, District of Sicamous, Carole Holmes, InSite Housing Hospitality Health Services Inc., Norman Embree, Interior Health and Shirley Kessler, Resident of Eagle Valley Manor.

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Kamloops – March 18, 2009 - Kamloops MLA Claude Richmond congratulates Peter Allik-Petersenn, board chair of the John Howard Society Thompson Region, at the official opening of the Georgian Court. The apartment building will provide affordable supportive housing to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Kamloops.

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Vanderhoof – March 18, 2009 - Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad cuts the ribbon at the official opening of the Omineca Safe Home Society’s Supportive Housing Complex. The development provides stable and affordable housing for women and children fleeing abuse and at risk of homelessness.

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New Westminster – February 6, 2009 - Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development was joined by Minister Linda Reid to open the $19.4-million Victoria Heights, providing 59 assisted living units for seniors, a child-care centre, a geriatric medical clinic, and a respiratory and diabetes education centre. The Province provided $5.9 million through the Independent Living BC program for seniors and a $1.3-million grant through the Ministry of Children and Family Development to create a 62-space licensed child-care centre.

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Vancouver – January 7, 2009 – Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development, opens the Pennsylvania Hotel with Liz Evans, executive director and founder of the Portland Hotel Society. The Pennsylvania Hotel provides 44 units for Downtown Eastside residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

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Victoria - June 30, 2010 -The Province announced it is investing $4 million to expand Swift House and $257,600 to provide 85 additional emergency shelter spaces for the City of Victoria until October 31, 2010.

From left: Minister Rich Coleman; Minister Ida Chong; Kathy Stinson, executive director, Victoria Cool Aid Society; Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin and Minister Murray Coell.

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Victoria - September 4, 2009 - Major Bill Mason of The Salvation Army Community and Family Services in Victoria receives a donation of backpacks from the Province. The Ministry of Housing and Social Development donated approximately 600 backpacks filled with school supplies to children from low-income families in over 20 communities across British Columbia.

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Vancouver – January 12, 2009 -Minister Rich Coleman is joined by Faye Wightman from the Vancouver Foundation to announce the new $5-million Endowment 150 fund, which will help ministry clients with disabilities and their families save for the future..

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Minister Coleman announces Endowment 150 with help from (l to r) Ted Kuntz, and Pat and Ric Tesan, whose children will benefit from the new federal government’s Registered Disability Savings Plan.