Women and children leaving violence will soon have a safe place to recover and rebuild their lives as construction begins on a new women’s housing project in Valemount.
“The start of this project is great news for the Valemount community.” said Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust. “These housing units and child care spaces will be a safe and secure place for women and their children in the area to live and grow. We look forward to celebrating the completion of this project with the community and want to congratulate the local and provincial partners involved who are making this concept a reality.”
Located downtown, the 14-unit project will provide a number of housing options, including second-stage housing, which provides short-term housing with on-site supports, and affordable rental housing for women who need a permanent place to stay. The three-storey building will include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, a laundry room and a shared amenity space.
The homes are being funded through the Province’s Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund, a $734-million investment over 10 years, to build and operate 1,500 transition housing, second-stage housing and long-term housing spaces for women and children leaving violence.
The Trust is also providing $300,000 toward the child care facility
There will be a 72-space child care facility on the ground floor of the building that will be available for tenants and the broader community, thanks to approximately $2.9 million through the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund.
The new homes and child care facility in Valemont will be managed by Robson Valley Community Services Society, which has significant experience working with women and their children who are leaving violence.
Construction is anticipated to be completed in spring 2023.
Read the full release here.
Learn more about the Trust’s work in Child Care and Affordable Housing.
