The Hope Centre, a 25-unit affordable housing development for Aboriginal youth and adults, has officially opened in the municipality of Sooke, B.C. The four-storey building is geared towards individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The project features 18 studio apartments, seven one-bedroom apartments and ground level commercial space.

“The B.C. government believes in taking a more proactive approach to help break the cycle of homelessness and the Hope Centre is a testament to this,” says Maja Tait, Mayor for the District of Sooke. “By connecting at-risk youth with an affordable home to call their own, preventing them from becoming homeless, they now have the time and security needed to help rebuild their lives.”

Several government and community partners provided funding for the development of the Hope Centre. These groups and their respective contributions include:

• The Government of Canada ($1.8-million, through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, and a $10,000 Seed grant);
• The Government of British Columbia ($1-million in grant funding and $781,897 in construction financing);
• The Capital Regional District’s Regional Housing Trust Fund ($375,000);
• Mis’kow’aao Development Society ($375,000);
• The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (a $370,500 land donation and $1.2-million for commercial construction);
• The M’akola Housing Society and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (a joint contribution of $34,532); and
• The District of Sooke ($80,000).

The affordable housing component of the building, which is located at 6750 West Coast Rd., is owned and operated by the M’akola Housing Society and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul owns and manages the commercial component.