Renovated Affordable Housing Project Officially Re-opens in Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton's 'Prinzen Flats' affordable housing development officially re-opened on Thursday (November 18th) after a $1.1 million renovation, much to the delight of tenants and landlord Homestead Christian Care. The renovation project was made possible through Canada's Economic Action Plan which provided $750,000 of the total cost through its social housing Renovation and Retrofit program. Homestead Christian Care contributed $350,000 towards the renovation through community fundraising efforts.

Prinzen Flats now offers 43 newly renovated apartments at affordable rents to the Hamilton community. Homestead Christian Care Director of Operations Jeffrey Neven expressed his satisfaction that renovations were complete:

"At Homestead Christian Care, our motto is Hope and Homes. As such, we're committed to fostering hope and enabling our tenants to live well. Quality, safe and affordable housing is essential for all of us - with that foundation, we can overcome other challenges and meaningfully contribute to our community."

Operating since 1974, Homestead Christian Care has made significant contributions to the local Hamilton community. Homestead offers individuals suffering from mental illness a wide variety of programs at several locations across Hamilton. They continue to expand their services, recently being awarded a $5.29 million grant from CMHC to develop 46 new independent-living apartments.

To learn more about Homestead Christian Care, its renovation project and upcoming developments, visit their website: http://www.hscc.ca/index.asp

'At risk' of being homeless similarly detrimental to health as actual homelessness, new study finds

The links between homelessness and health issues have been well documented, however a new report suggests that Canadians at risk of becoming homeless may suffer from similar health concerns. The Health and Housing in Transition study tracked 1200 homeless people and those considered to be 'at risk' of becoming homeless (individuals who have been homeless or moved at least twice in the past year) for a year and found both groups to suffer from similar health concerns. A lack of food and nutrition, combined with pre-existing health conditions that may impede their ability to work and function within broader society, were found within both homeless individuals and those at risk of becoming homeless.

The report's findings emphasize what many homelessness and housing advocates have been saying for years: Homelessness and affordability issues, and the resultant physical and mental health problems for Canadians living in these conditions, do not exist only on the streets, but are often hidden from plain sight - in people's living rooms, in multiple occupancy apartments - anywhere where Canadians are at risk of becoming homeless. The report stresses that on any given night in Canada, for every one person sleeping in a shelter, 23 more live with the stress of housing vulnerability and the risk of soon becoming homeless.

The report, entitled 'Housing Vulnerability and Health: Canada's Hidden Emergency' will be discussed today at a research forum on homelessness organized by the Ottawa-based Alliance to End Homelessness. For more information, please visit their website: http://www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca/

Goldcorp donates $5 million Vancouver affordable housing project

Slated as one of the largest corporate donation to affordable housing in Canadian history, Goldcorp recently donated $5 million to a Vancouver affordable housing project. Launched last May, the affordable housing project is run by local non-profit Streettohome, and once completed plans to add 1000 new affordable housing units across Vancouver. The units are currently in the planning phase.

Goldcorp's donation brings Streettohome half way towards their current capital fundraising goal of $26.5 million. B.C's provincial housing authority and the City of Vancouver will also contribute financially to the project in an attempt to push proposed affordable housing through the pipes to help stem the rising wave of homelessness in Vancouver.

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell stressed the need for ongoing co-operation between the public and private sector to tackle issues of homelessness and affordability. 'Without private sector partners throughout our communities, we would not be successful in meeting our targets. The core of solving the challenges we face is stable housing', he said.

While Goldcorp's generous donation gives Streettohome's campaign a significant boost, the non-profit will continue its fundraising efforts. To learn more about Streettohome's affordable housing initiatives and how you can help, visit their website: http://www.streettohome.org/