Children, Seniors and Social Development
August 31, 2016

The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

Expanding Supportive Housing

Federal-Provincial Partnership Improves Housing Options for Young Women in St. John's

The Federal and Provincial Governments joined today to celebrate the official opening of two supportive housing units for young women in St. John's. The two units at Naomi Centre, operated by Stella's Circle, were funded by a federal-provincial investment of $250,000 through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement (IAH) 2014-19.

Seamus O'Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, 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 and the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, celebrated the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"Naomi Centre provides safe and supportive temporary housing as well as counselling services to women in need. Our government is focused on nurturing strong, healthy communities throughout our province. Supporting these new supportive housing units fits well with that goal, and we are proud to partner with the Federal Government on this initiative."
- Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

Naomi Centre is an emergency shelter that offers safe and supportive temporary housing for women aged 16-30 within a harm reduction model. Staff provides supportive counselling services and support is also provided to former residents of Naomi Centre.

"Our government is investing in affordable housing here in St. John's and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most. Thanks to the combined efforts of our partners, we are able to give a helping hand to young women in need, and in doing so we are contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community."
- Seamus O'Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, 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)

Naomi Centre accepts self-referrals or referrals from other health care providers, including, family counselling agencies, government departments, or family and friends of individuals needing emergency housing.

"We are grateful to the Federal and Provincial Governments for their commitment to supportive housing, in 2015-16, we had 142 admissions into Naomi Centre. The addition of these two apartments will provide enhanced, long-term housing stability to the young women we serve."
- Lisa Browne, Chief Executive Officer, Stella's Circle.

CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. 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 Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of CMHC operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca . Follow CMHC on Twitter , YouTube , LinkedIn and Facebook .

QUICK FACTS

• The Federal and Provincial Governments joined today to celebrate the official opening of two supportive housing units for young women in St. John's.
• The two units were funded by a federal-provincial investment of $250,000 through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement (IAH) 2014-19.
• Naomi Centre is an emergency shelter that offers safe and supportive temporary housing for women aged 16-30 within a harm reduction model. Staff provide supportive counselling services and support is also provided to former residents of Naomi Centre.
• Self-referrals or referrals from other health care providers are accepted, including, family counselling agencies, government departments, or family and friends of individuals needing emergency housing.
• By the end of 2019, approximately 1,600 new affordable homes will have been created throughout Newfoundland and Labrador under the IAH Program.

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Media contacts:

Roger Scaplen Director of Communications (Seniors and Wellness) Department Children, Seniors and Social Development 709-729-1928, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca	Jenny Bowring Communications Manager Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation 709-724-3055 jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Danielle Tsimiklis Public Affairs Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 902 426-7470 dtsimikl@cmhc-schl.gc.ca	Marlayne Hardy Marketing Manager Stella’s Circle 709-738-0564 m.hardy@stellascircle.ca

2016 08 31                              10:45 a.m.