New transitional housing, childcare opening soon for women and their families in Valemount

Valemount, BC , October 6, 2023

Women and children leaving violence will soon have access to safe homes with the opening of Ada’s Place, a 14-unit women’s housing project in Valemount. Today, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia announced combined funding of more than $12.7 million towards the project.

Operated by the Robson Valley Community Services Society, Ada’s Place provides a range of housing options for women leaving violence, including transgender women, non-binary, and Two- Spirit people, and their dependent children.

The three-storey building includes second-stage housing, which provides short-term housing with on-site support services, and affordable rental housing for women who need a permanent place to stay. Ada’s Place offers residents one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, in-suite laundry and a shared amenity space.

In support of residents as they rebuild their lives, below Ada’s Place is a 72-space childcare centre called Roots of Life.

Funding provided for this project is as follows:

$700,000 from the federal government, through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund
$11.68 million from the provincial government, through BC Housing including
- $8.4 million from the Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund
- $280,000 in operating funding will also be provided annually to Robson Valley Community Services Society
- Approximately $3 million from the Canada-B.C. Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund toward construction of the childcare centre
$300,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust towards the childcare facility
The Village of Valemount is providing the land for the project, valued at $81,000

Quotes:

“These 14 units are more than just a place for women to live. It’s a place where they can turn to crucial support services, a place where they can ensure stability for their children, and a place where they know they will be safe. Residents will have access to the support they need to rebuild their lives, heal, and gain independence. This is one way the National Housing Strategy is ensuring no one is left behind.”
— The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“Women and children fleeing violence need safe places to turn to in their time of need. Joint projects like Ada’s Place show that different levels of government, and communities, can come together to provide shelter to vulnerable parts of our society. While we continue to work with provinces and territories, and across government to end gender-based violence, we will continue investing in wrap-around services to keep women and their families safe.”
— The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

“Having access to affordable, quality, inclusive child care is critical for those leaving violence so they can focus on rebuilding their lives. We’re proud to work with so many partners to deliver safe, affordable housing that includes needed supports like child care so that women and their children can rebuild their lives in safety.”
— Grace Lore, B.C. Minister of State for Child Care

“Village of Valemount is grateful for this partnership in housing for vulnerable women and childcare which is essential to create a supportive environment that addresses the multifaceted needs of our community. By bringing together government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups, we’re able to pool resources, expertise, and funding to establish safe and affordable housing options, as well as accessible and high-quality childcare services. Such a collaboration will not only provide secure shelter but also empower vulnerable women to pursue education, employment, and self-sufficiency. This partnership will foster resilience, promote economic independence, and contribute to the overall well-being and social integration of vulnerable women and their families, leading to a stronger and more inclusive Valemount.”
— Owen Torgerson, Mayor, Village of Valemount

Quick facts:

Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $82-plus billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
- As with all projects for women and children leaving violence, the address of this project has not been disclosed due to safety reasons.
The National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) is a $13.2 billion program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.
This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 76,000 new homes that have been delivered or are underway, including more than 50 homes in Valemount.

Additional information:

Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of Canada housing information.
CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
To learn more about the BC Government’s new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436
To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/