The president of an agency that helps settle refugees in British Columbia has sent a letter to Premier Christy Clark demanding an explanation why the government has not contributed a promised $5 million towards the construction of a $24.5-million one-stop housing and support centre for refugees being built on Victoria Drive.
In the Sept. 16 letter obtained by the Courier, Manchan Sonachansingh said the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. worked extensively with B.C. Housing officials and was promised $5 million towards the housing component of the “Welcome House” project, which is planned to have up to 130 beds.
“After several years of negotiating on the basis of that original promise we ended up with a $1 million contribution and were forced to make some significant redesigns to the facility,” said Sonachansingh, noting the project is $8 million short of raising the $24.5 million. “I would like to explore whether the province of B.C. would contribute $4 million – the outstanding amount that was originally promised to us in order to reduce our overall capital shortfall.”
The $1 million came via a provincial-federal economic stimulus fund. So far, the society has raised $16 million for the project. Funding has come from the sale of its much smaller building at 530 Drake St., Vancity, the Lado Family Foundation, the society’s cash reserve, private donors, $4.4 million from the City of Vancouver and the $1 million from the provincial-federal stimulus fund.
The Courier contacted B.C. Housing – the government’s housing branch – which emailed a statement saying the province provided project development funding of $630,000 for Welcome House, interim construction financing of $8.6 million and the $1 million of provincial-federal money.
“A $5-million contribution was notionally allocated to the project,” the statement said. “The window to allocate funding from the federal provincial economic stimulus fund closed in 2012 and ISS did not meet the timelines required to obtain the funding.”
Chris Friesen, the society’s director of settlement services, said ISS of B.C. was never informed about the deadline for the funding. He said the $9.2 million of money from the government has to be paid back, leaving the society with the $1 million provincial-federal stimulus money. The society will be forced to take out a large mortgage to ensure costs are covered, he said.
“If there is a formal application process form, we will graciously apply [for further funding],” Friesen said, noting it was “ironic” the City of Vancouver contributed much more to the project -- $4.4 million -- than senior levels of government. "The more that we can reduce that capital shortfall, the more we're able to put limited resources into the direct support of refugees. That's the goal."
Friesen praised the City of Vancouver at a council meeting last Wednesday for its commitment to the project and grants it provides to help immigrants and refugees. He was at the meeting to support Mayor Gregor Robertson’s motion to pressure the federal government to allow 20,000 government-assisted refugees in Canada annually by 2020. Friesen returned to city hall Monday, where he was supported by Vision Coun. Geoff Meggs in his call for the federal government to speed up the reunification process for families.
Welcome House will be the first facility of its kind in the world for refugees and has already garnered national and international attention from other governments. A 22-member delegation from Denmark visited the site earlier this month. Along with room for 130 beds, the facility will include space for settlement services, a medical clinic, support programs for victims of trauma, classrooms, a daycare, a large kitchen and community room.
Two weeks ago, the premier announced a $1-million “readiness fund” for Syrian refugees settling in B.C. The money will be used for counselling, help pay for sponsorship of refugees, reviews of foreign credentials so refugees can start work in B.C. and assist local governments in settling Syrian newcomers. None is expected to go to Welcome House.
Friesen said the society welcomes donations towards the project, which is scheduled to open by May 2016.
@Howellings
