Emergency Shelter Upgrades Benefit Victims of Domestic Violence

Logo: Government of Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Logo: Government of Saskatchewan (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

SWIFT CURRENT, SK, Oct. 26, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Province of Saskatchewan and Southwest Crisis Services Inc. have partnered together to rejuvenate five units in an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence in southwest Saskatchewan. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan contributed $236,000 toward the renovations, which include an enlarged kitchen, enhanced security and fire sprinkler systems, a wheelchair-accessible bedroom and bathroom, and energy-efficient heating and lighting.

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Everett Hindley, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Swift Current, on behalf of the Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), and Heather Lennox, Executive Director of Southwest Crisis Services, made the announcement today.

Quotes:

"Safe and secure housing is the foundation for rebuilding a better life. Our Government is committed to helping victims of domestic violence access stable and supportive environments from which the healing process can begin. These newly renovated, accessible units represent a fresh start for these women and their children." — The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"We are pleased to work with the Government of Canada and Southwest Crisis Services Inc. to help provide safe, secure housing for vulnerable women and children in Swift Current and the surrounding area who are in crisis and need support. Through this successful partnership, we can help these women and children to rebuild their lives and become victors, not victims. We remain committed to working with our partners to achieve that, and continue to keep Saskatchewan strong."
— Everett Hindley, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Swift Current

"Southwest Crisis Services has a long history of serving women and children who are involved in domestic violence situations with the support and assistance they need to live violence-free lives. We thank the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan for supporting this renovation project, which will ensure that women and children in crisis situations will continue to have a safe, secure and comfortable place to live in this community. We sincerely thank all our partners for their involvement."
— Heather Lennox, Executive Director, Southwest Crisis Services Inc.

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada, through CMHC, and the Government of Saskatchewan, through SHC, jointly contributed $236,000 toward the project under the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement (Social Infrastructure Fund).
• Southwest Crisis Services Inc. has worked to alleviate and eradicate violence and abuse since 1984, when Southwest Action Group for Battered Women merged with Swift Current Sexual Assault Centre. Southwest Crisis Services Inc. provides counselling and 24-hour crisis support, in addition to the Southwest Safe Shelter. 
• Southwest Crisis Services Inc. opened the shelter in 1989, providing five bedrooms of emergency housing for up to 14 women and children fleeing domestic violence.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)—an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.
• This investment supports the Saskatchewan Housing Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people have affordable, safe, secure and stable housing, including those who may be rebuilding their lives.

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, 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. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

In October 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan released the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: Vision 2020 and Beyond, which sets out the Government's vision for a province of 1.2 million people by 2020. The Plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $780 million to develop or repair more than 16,000 housing units across our province. To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Media contacts: Valérie Glazer, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546, [email protected]; Leonard Catling, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 604-787-1787, [email protected]; Leya Moore, Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services, 306-787-3610, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca