In Valemount new homes for women, child care spaces are under construction

A new housing project is under construction in Valemount to offer a safe place to go and rebuild for women and children fleeing violence.

“The province needs more affordable and safe places with supports for women to live, especially women and their children who are leaving an abusive situation,” David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, said. “We are working with community partners throughout the province to make sure women and children have a safe place to go when they need it most, including this new project in the Valemont area.”

The 14-unit project located downtown Valemount will provide a number of housing options, including second-stage housing, which provides short-term housing with on-site supports, and affordable rental housing for women who need a permanent place to stay. The three-storey building will include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, a laundry room and a shared amenity space.

The project funding comes from the province’s Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund, a $734-million investment over 10 years, to build and operate 1,500 transition housing, second-stage housing and long-term housing spaces for women and children leaving violence.

There will also be a 72-space child care facility on the ground floor of the building that will be available for tenants and other community members. That part of the facility costs about $2.9 million that came from the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund.

The new homes and child care facility in Valemont will be managed by Robson Valley Community Services Society, which has significant experience working with women and their children who are leaving violence.

“It is an honour to be selected as the operator for 14 affordable housing units and a new 72-space child care facility,” said Lina Thompson, executive director, Robson Valley Community Services Society. “The impacts of the housing crisis are deeply felt in our rural northern B.C. community, especially for women and children affected by violence. In collaboration with the Village of Valemount, BC Housing, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Columbia Basin Trust, we are able to assist women in rebuilding their lives through housing security, affordable child care and supportive programming.”

Construction should be completed in spring 2023.

To learn about the steps the province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/