Canadian Funding Corp Reviews: New Women's Shelter in York Region

RICHMOND HILL, March 25, 2009 - Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region Inc. celebrated the acquisition of a property in Richmond Hill that will provide 10 emergency beds for women and children who are victims of family violence in south York Region.

"The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most," said Senator Nicole Eaton, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "The creation of these new units will provide women and their children with access to safe housing and the support they need to help them to start a new page in their lives."

Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Government of Canada provided over $600,000 to Sandgate Women's Shelter through SEED funding and the Shelter Enhancement Program. The SEP program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and their children, youth or men who are victims of family violence, and provides financial assistance for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.

This is Sandgate's second shelter offering confidential 24-hour assistance to women and their children, including emergency crisis shelter, counselling, and transitional support and housing. The other location is Jackson's Point.

"Abuse is a reality many women face silently," said the Executive Director for Sandgate, Jehan A. Chaudhry. "The shelter in Richmond Hill will give women another choice to end abuse in their lives."

Sandgate is a not for profit, charitable organization, that is dedicated to providing women and their children shelter, support and information so they can take steps to end violence in their lives.

The Canadian Funding Corporation notes that the 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.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years for housing to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to $2 billion for housing-related infrastructure.