Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton was at municipal hall Friday to announce that Delta will be getting its first transition house for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Representatives of several groups and agencies were on hand to hear that B.C. Housing has allocated $1.8 million to purchase and renovate an eight-bedroom house, which was bought last week.
Thanking all those who worked on the project, including the Canadian Federation of University Women South Delta, which originally championed the cause, Hamilton said the house is expected to be ready for occupancy next month.
“We estimate the cost of operating this house, above the capital costs, is upwards of about $500,000 a year, so it’s a significant commitment from the government for a significant cause in our community,” he said.
Also thanking the Corporation of Delta, which had originally offered to provide a smaller house last year, and Delta police for their support, Hamilton said, “It hasn’t been that long a road but it was a very important one to walk.”
Delta CAO George Harvie said the mayor and council have been “passionate” about the need for a transition house dating back to when Hamilton was on Delta council. Harvie said it was particularly troubling for a municipality with a population of around 100,000 not to have such a facility.
“Delta council had stepped up and offered the house, and we knew it was going to be a bit small but we needed something. Fortunately, by offering the house, it started the ball rolling and there’s a lot of people who helped us too… We can’t stop here, we need more than one house. We’re a large community and hopefully we can continue working on that,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Mayor Lois Jackson, Harvie also thanked all those involved in helping make the project a reality.
“With the addition of a transition house in Delta, we have much needed options for these women and their children,” he said. “No one likes to hear that there is a growing need for a transition house in communities, but in this case we will thank all those involved for ensuring that a transition house will be available for our Delta families.”
Harvie also read a statement on behalf of Delta police Chief Neil Dubord.
“The beneficiaries of this home will be the women and children fleeing violence in relationships. Women may not have left violent relationship because it meant uprooting their children from local schools, driving long distances to maintain employment and potentially losing their local support network. Now this is no longer the case,” he said.
Transition houses provide emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning and temporary accommodation. Stays typically last 30 days. The facilities also provide assistance in accessing support services and housing, financial, medical and legal assistance.
Last year, more than 12,300 women and children were assisted by provincially-funded transition houses, second-stage housing and safe homes.
