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Dealing with domestic violence a priority for provincial government

Rich Coleman says funding in place to ensure that transition houses in Langley and Aldergrove remain open.

Dealing with

domestic

violence

a priority

 

Editor: As minister responsible for housing in B.C., I want to assure British Columbians that our government remains committed to providing women in our communities with housing and supports services necessary to keep them safe from domestic violence.

To do this, we fund a variety of resources and services that assist women and children, including approximately $32 million each year to support more than 850 spaces in transition and safe houses, as well as second stage housing.

Last year, we allocated $12.4 million to more than 160 victim service programs and another $16.5 million to help about 240 women leave violent situations and get counselling and support services.

Thanks to our collective efforts, we assisted more than 18,000 people fleeing domestic violence last year by providing them with emergency housing and the support services they need.

To further this work, our government established the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence in 2012. The office co-ordinates and strengthens services for children and families affected by domestic violence.

Provincial funding remains in place to support the 12-unit Ishtar Transition House in Langley and the 24-unit Libra Transition House in Aldergrove. The province owns these houses, and will ensure these critical services remain available in the Fraser Valley.

Every day in B.C., volunteers and staff with our non-profit service providers help to keep our citizens safe, often in very difficult circumstances. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work, and let British Columbians know we are doing our part to make a difference.

Rich Coleman, MLA,

Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for Housing