Non-Profit Society To Operate Friendship Lodge

INFORMATION BULLETIN
For Immediate Release
2007FOR0069-000667
May 23, 2007

Ministry of Forests and Range
and Minister responsible for Housing
Northern Health

PRINCE GEORGE – The Province announced today that the Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society has been selected to operate a 30-unit supportive housing apartment complex proposed for 1656 Queensway.The society was selected following a call for Expressions of Interest in March. The development will serve Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations, and will be called Friendship Lodge.

The Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society is now organizing a development and design team and will develop a more detailed budget. The design team includes Boni-Maddison Architects. The society and its partners will also develop a community consultation process, in addition to the public hearing that will be held as part of the rezoning application.

Friendship Lodge will be a 30-unit apartment building for adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and working toward managing mental health and addiction issues. It is one of about 60 housing developments that have received funding commitments through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, arising from the work of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions.

The Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society was established in 1969 and became a non-profit society in 1970. Today, the Native Friendship Centre is a multifaceted organization employing over 150 people, offering a broad range of services to the community of Prince George.

The Friendship Centre services approximately 20,000 clients annually and has been recognized as a leader in social services and Aboriginal programs. For over 35 years, the Prince George Native Friendship Centre has been working towards meeting its original mandate as well as successfully adapting to the changing needs of the community.

The provincial and federal governments have committed up to $4 million for this development, which was announced in March 2005. Northern Health will provide operating funding for health and support services.

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Contact:

Sam Rainboth
Manager, Public Affairs
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Barb Ward-Burkitt
Executive Director
Prince George Native Friendship Centre
250 564-3568

Mark Karjaluoto
Director of Communications
Northern Health
250 565-2694