Transitional Housing for Women Opens in Yellowknife

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES--(Marketwired - Sept. 26, 2014) - The Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories are celebrating the opening of a transitional housing project aimed at supporting single women and women with children at risk of homelessness in Yellowknife. Betty House is a new 18-unit building that will help women and children attain the stability required for the successful transition to permanent housing. Betty House consists of six bedsitting units for single women, ten two-bedroom apartments and two, three-bedroom apartments, for women with children. The City of Yellowknife, a partner in the project, welcomes the addition of Betty House to the community.

The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development); along with the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister Responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation and Minister Responsible for Homelessness, made the announcement today.

"A safe, affordable home may be a first step towards a new transition in life," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Thanks to a partnership between our governments, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, the Yellowknife Community Advisory Board on Homelessness and the YWCA, women and children will be able to create a better future for themselves."

"I'm very happy to see the Betty House open its doors," said Honourable Minister Robert C. McLeod. "With the help of this new transitional home we will be able to help a lot of women and their children move forward with their lives in a positive direction."

"The City of Yellowknife has watched this project grow from the ground up. We've seen our community partners come together to create a transitional housing project that supports important members of our community. To see the doors open is a celebration of a very successful collaborative effort," says Mayor Mark Heyck.

Betty House received $500,000 in joint government funding as a result of the $11 million Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories will use the funds under the agreement to create new and renovate existing affordable housing for households in need.

Additional funding was provided to Betty House as follows:

• Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's Capital Infrastructure Acquisition Plan, $1.8 million;
• Government of Canada through its Homelessness Partnering Strategy, more than $1.7 million;
• Dominion Diamond Ekati Corporation, $750,000;
• YWCA Yellowknife, $240,000;
• Yellowknife Community foundation, $50,000; and
• Other private businesses and individuals funding, $260,000 for a total investment of $5.3 million.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation partnered with the City of Yellowknife, the Yellowknife Community Advisory Board on Homelessness and the YWCA Yellowknife to build this housing project which supports a critical housing need in the NWT. Betty House is owned and operated by the YWCA Yellowknife.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, invests approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion in federal funding is provided in support of close to 600,000 individuals and families living in existing social housing both on- and off-reserve. In the Northwest Territories, this represents an estimated 2,350 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. From April 2011 to June 2014, close to 184,000 households have benefited from this investment nationally, including 284 in the Northwest Territories.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) provides access to adequate, suitable and affordable housing. Through the provision of housing programs and services, the NWTHC contributes to the health and education of NWT residents and to the development of sustainable, vibrant and safe communities.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.