Brantford’s Nova Vita Now Offers More Transitional Housing

BRANTFORD, Ontario, July 09, 2007 — Women and children fleeing family violence will now benefit from six new transitional housing units at the Maria House, A Home for Families in Transition.

Gary Goodyear, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and representatives of the Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the renovations which were made possible with more than $790,000 in federal funding.

“Canada’s New Government is proud to help provide safe and supportive housing for women and children in the Brantford area,” said MP Goodyear. “With access to vital transitional housing and services, vulnerable women and children can begin to build better, safer and stronger futures.”

Maria House was renovated to provide safe and secure accommodations for up to eight women and children fleeing family violence. The eight-unit facility now features independent living spaces to help reintegrate women and their children into the community. The City of Brantford also contributed $150,000 towards the project.

“These transitional units will help fill a very real gap in our community,” said Candace Wells, Acting President of Nova Vita’s Board of Directors. “We can now offer affordable housing to up to eight families in Maria House with this new addition of four 1-bedroom units and two 2-bedroom units. The women, with their children, who live in Maria House are clients in our transitional support program. Our clients pay to live in the units, but Maria House is accessible because it is affordable housing.”

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers financial assistance for the repair, rehabilitation and improvement of existing shelters as well as for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing for victims of family violence.

CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes and making vibrant and sustainable communities and cities a reality across the country. For more information, call 1-800-668-2642.

For further information, please contact:

Rhonda Hendel
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
519-752-1005 x 212

Carlene Siopis
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
416-250-3297