Boardwalk Rental Communities provides free rent for one (1) year to someone in need in Edmonton and Calgary, AB

CALGARY, Dec. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust ("BEI.UN" - TSX)

Boardwalk Rental Communities ("Boardwalk") was pleased to provide free rent to an individual in both Calgary, AB, and Edmonton, AB.  From mid- November through to the beginning of December, Boardwalk teamed up with Virgin Radio in Calgary, AB, to host 'Rent Free Under the Tree' and Up Radio in Edmonton, AB, to host 'Home for the Holidays', offering free rent for a year in a Boardwalk Community.  Boardwalk and the radio stations asked listeners to write in and nominate someone they knew who deserved a hand up and free rent for year.

The winner in Calgary, AB, Lori, is a single mom of four children aged 11-17 and was nominated by her 15 year old daughter.  She suffered a heart attack two years ago and as a result was unable to work for six months.  During this time, her daughters both took on jobs to help out while they attended school, which put a lot of stress on the family.  When Lori received the call that she was the winner of free rent for the year, she said, "Thank you so much, I'm not even sure what to say.  Holy cow!"

Edmonton, AB, winner is Lisa, a Business Communication student at a local university who works part time to make ends meet. Her boyfriend Jeremy was recently diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and as a result of the time commitment needed for his treatment, he recently lost his job. Lisa said, "I knew I was nominated, but there are so many people who deserve it so much more I never thought in a million years you would call me!"

This is the fourth year Boardwalk has held this contest in Calgary, AB, and the third year in Edmonton, AB.  Sam Kolias, CEO and Chairman of the Board, says, "The Holiday Season is a season of giving back.  We are pleased to be able to give a hand up to someone in need in our communities by providing them a place to call home, rent free, for one year.  The stories and nominations we receive each year are truly touching, and selecting just one winner from each city is a difficult task.  This year's recipients are amazing people and we are happy to welcome them home."

About Boardwalk REIT

Boardwalk REIT is Canada's friendliest landlord and currently owns and operates more than 225 properties with 35,277 residential units (as at Sept 30, 2012) totaling approximately 30 million net rentable square feet. Boardwalk's principal objectives are to provide its Residents with the best quality communities and superior Customer Service, while providing Unitholders with sustainable monthly cash distributions, and increase the value of its Trust Units through selective acquisitions, dispositions, and effective management of its residential multi‐family properties. Boardwalk REIT is vertically integrated and is Canada's leading owner/operator of Multi‐Family Communities with 1,600 Associates bringing Customers home to properties located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

Boardwalk REIT's Trust units are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol BEI.UN. The Trust's total Enterprise Value as of Sept 30, 2012 was approximately $5.5 billion. Additional information about Boardwalk REIT can be found on the Trust's website at www.BoardwalkREIT.com.

SOURCE: Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

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