Government of Canada celebrates THE
COMPLETION OF RENOVATIONS of Unity Project

LONDON, June 25, 2009 – Representatives from the Government of Canada and the Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness joined today to celebrate the completion of renovations of a 10-unit transitional housing complex and a 43-bed shelter. These housing units will provide support services to residents, helping them to develop new skills and turn a new page in their lives.    

Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London-West, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Charlene Lazenby, General Manager and founding member of the Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness in London, attended the ceremony. 

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Ed Holder. “With the opening of these projects, youth, women and children in London can access safe and suitable housing, and build a stronger future for themselves.”

Through CMHC, the Government of Canada provided $166,663 towards the 10-unit project and $95,410 towards the 43-bed project, under the Shelter Enhancement Program. This 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.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous support received allowing us to make our unique property an effective facility for emergency shelter and our transitional housing programs,” said Charlene Lazenby, General Manager and founding member of the Unity Project for Homelessness in London.

Since 2001, the Unity Project has provided at-risk individuals with emergency shelter and transitional housing.  The shelter’s employees work with each resident to establish a personal action plan to help bring stability and independence in their life.   

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant, healthy communities and cities across the country.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years 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 another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.                                          

     For further information, please visit: www.unityproject.ca