HOUSING PROJECT BENEFITS FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

Wichihik Iskwewak (WISH) Transitional House, a second stage housing complex for women and children fleeing domestic violence, officially opened today in Regina thanks to federal and provincial funding totalling over $723,000.

"Citizens in this province deserve to be as independent as possible in their community," Regina Coronation Park MLA Kim Trew said on behalf of Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger. "This project will make a positive change for families wanting to make the transition from temporary safe house shelters to long-term, stable homes. This project exemplifies HomeFirst, our provincial housing strategy, and with our long-term vision of making life better for today's families and building a future here for our youth."

The housing project was carried out by the Touchwood File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council (TFHQ) Safe Shelter Inc., and supported through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation's Shelter Enhancement Program ($250,000) and the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative ($473,000).

The project supports the community research undertaken by the Provincial Association of Transitional Housing Services of Saskatchewan in March 2005, which identified a need for additional second-stage housing units in the province.

TFHQ is an amalgamation of Wichihik Iskwewak Safe House Inc. and Qu'Appelle Haven Safe Shelter Inc. Both are non-profit organizations who operate transitional women's shelters in Regina and Fort Qu'Appelle respectively. TFHQ owns the project and WISH will manage the project.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Lisa Danyluk Service Canada Regina Phone: 306-564-5384

Linda Saliken Community Resources Regina Phone: 306-787-0246