Supportive Housing for Women in Abbotsford Now Underway

Partners in a new supportive housing development in Abbotsford marked the beginning of construction today. Once complete, the 41-unit building will contain a mix of studio and one- to four-bedroom apartments for single women or women with children at risk of homelessness in the Fraser Valley.

The $10.3 million project is part of an agreement between the Province and the City of Abbotsford to create new affordable housing in the city. The Province provided a grant of approximately $8.9 million. The City provided the land valued at approximately $1.36 million and waived property taxes and development cost charges. Construction is expected to be complete by spring 2012.

The Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley (WRSFV), a non-profit society, will manage and operate the affordable apartments. For over 25 years, the WRSFV has been dedicated to providing and promoting the development of services that assist in the reduction of domestic violence against women and their children in the Fraser Valley including women’s counselling, outreach and multicultural outreach, caregiver support, and children and youth support.

Recently the province and city also announced a proposed site for another development under their partnership agreement, the George Schmidt Centre, a 31 unit transitional housing project for men at risk of homelessness.