WHEREAS the Province is funding the purchase of buildings in the Greater Vancouver and Victoria areas to protect affordable housing rooming house purchase; AND WHEREAS the Province has purchased housing in 2006 and committed to additional new funding in the 2007 budget: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province establish a funding program to support province-wide affordable housing initiatives.
MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND RANGE, MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HOUSING The Province of British Columbia Province is committed to protecting affordable housing by implementing Housing Matters BC, and ensuring low-income households have improved access to affordable rental housing. The Province has demonstrated this commitment through the purchase of rooming hotels in Vancouver, Burnaby, Victoria, and, most recently, Kamloops. The Provincial Homelessness Initiative PHI supports developments that provide a range of housing options, including shorter term transitional housing and longer term supportive housing. The initiative is funded in part through the second phase of the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement. The federal and provincial governments have contributed 41.7 million each, for a total of 83.4 million. The Province has a number of programs available to all eligible residents. Independent Living BC bridges the gap between home care and residential care for those whose needs do not fit either of those options. The Rental Assistance Program, announced in October 2006, assists eligible lower income families secure affordable housing in the private market. Enhancements to the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program help senior renters access affordable housing. The 250 million Housing Endowment Fund was announced in the 200708 budget. The interest accrued on the fund will support initiatives that target individuals and families throughout the Province who are not currently served by existing programs. This fund will exist in perpetuity to help fund innovative housing proposals, including those that support affordable housing.