At next Monday's council meeting, The North Coast Transition Society will outline its plans and seek public support on a new two story structure, designed to better serve the needs of women recovering from abuse.
At the council meeting public hearing into the rezoning application, the Society will provide details on the planned two storey structure on Park Avenue, as well as update the community on plans to provide more services and better communication with BC Housing for their clients.
The Daily news provided a fair amount of background on the project and the services offered by the Society in Wednesday's paper.
Women's shelter set to reach more
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The North Coast Transition Society is proposing to build a new two-story building to house the services it offers to women recovering from abuse.
Last week, the city officially received an application to rezone a piece of land on Park Avenue.
The North Coast Transition Society has been working on the project in co-operation with B.C. Housing for quite some time.
"The proposed project contains 21 bedrooms for the purpose of the Transition House and Supportive Recovery Programs and eight one-bedroom units for intermediate supportive housing (transitional and second stage with a maximum two years stay," said Peggy Julseth, program development coordinator.
There will also be space for programming and counselling services; including sexual abuse intervention, Stopping the Violence Program, Child Support, Changes Program, the Supportive Recovery Program, the Hope Haven Transition House, In Her Shoes Workshops, Women's Outreach Program, Women Support Women program, and the Crisis Line and eight offices.
The city is leasing the property to the society for a small fee and will be waiving the zoning, variance and development fees.
According to the application, the society has chosen the site because it has good access to transit services but will still enable the society to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of its occupants.
"NCTS will be encouraging clients and staff to utilize public transit, walk, cycle and car pool to and from the building," Julseth said.
In addition, it also is located near public housing, with an opportunity for a partnership for permanent affordable housing.
As proposed, the project will have 15 parking stalls, three for tenants, five for visitors, one concealed stall for private drops offs and six for staff.
There will be a public hearing on the proposal at the next council meeting, next Monday at 7 p.m.
In addition, earlier this week, the North Coast Transition Society was informed it will receive $150,000 during three years from the provincial government to expand its homeless outreach programs.
"Homeless outreach services in about 30 communities across B.C. have provided stable homes from more than 1,600 people," said Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing.
"North Coast Transition House Society has achieved some exceptional results with its outreach work in Prince Rupert, helping to break the cycle of homelessness and we want to build on this success."
The Ksan House emergency shelter in Terrace also received an increase of $69,000 in annual funding to provide additional overnight staffing.
"Emergency shelters provide an essential service to those who find themselves in very difficult circumstances, and this new funding will help to make sure people can stay temporarily in safe and secure surroundings," said Coleman.
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