Government of Canada and People in Transition Inc. Break Ground on Second-Stage Housing at My Sister's Place

August 28, 2009

ALLISTON, ON, August 25, 2009 — The Government of Canada and People in Transition (Alliston) Inc. held a ground-breaking ceremony today to celebrate the construction of five new second-stage housing units at "My Sister's Place", a shelter for women and children who are victims of family violence in Simcoe County.

The Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women) and Member of Parliament for Simcoe – Grey, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Anne Skeates, Board Chairperson, People in Transition (Alliston) Inc., along with guests attended today's ceremony.

"The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most," said Minister of State Guergis. "Through this investment, My Sister's Place will provide safe and supportive housing to women and their children who are experiencing family violence."

Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Government of Canada provided $520,000 to My Sister's Place through the Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP) and SEED funding. The SEP program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and their children or youth who are victims of family violence. It also provides financial assistance for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed. SEED funding offers financial assistance to housing proponents who are in the early stages of developing an affordable housing project.

The five units — one bachelorette and four one-bedroom apartments, will be built beside the existing emergency shelter in Alliston. Women and children currently staying at My Sister's Place could move into this second-stage housing as part of their transition from the shelter. Second-stage housing is vital in helping women and children reclaim their lives and secure a brighter future.

"My Sister's Place is very proud to be creating a second-stage housing project that is the only purpose-built building of its kind in South Simcoe County," said Anne Skeates, Board Chairperson, People in Transition (Alliston) Inc. "The goal of this project is to provide ongoing and on site shelter for women who are recreating their lives in the wake of an abusive relationship."

My Sister's Place, operated by People in Transition (Alliston) Inc., provides emergency shelter services to abused women and their children who are fleeing violent and / or abusive relationships. More than 1,000 women and children are served annually.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.