News Release

ST. STEPHEN (GNB) – A transition house for women and children in the Fundy Region will receive a new second-stage housing facility, thanks in part to an investment of $1 million from the provincial and federal governments.

“It is important to ensure women and children have a support system in place to help them through extremely difficult and stressful situations,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister John Ames. “This project demonstrates how the provincial and federal governments are working together to help victims of family violence begin new chapters in their lives.”

Ames spoke on behalf of Families and Children Minister Stephen Horsman and of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser, who is also the minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.

Fundy Region Transition House will receive $240,000 to build a six-unit second-stage housing facility and more than $704,000 in rent supplements over a 20-year period, as well as $56,000 through the Regional Development Corporation for a common room within the new facility. Second-stage housing provides safe housing and community services to help women and their families become more independent.

“The Fundy Region Transition House is thrilled to announce the services for women in our community will expand to include second-stage housing,” said board president Diane Ganong. “The six-unit building will be constructed on the lot next to the Fundy Region Transition House centre and will be home to women in transition for up to 18-months. After leaving abusive relationships, women need time to re-establish themselves and plan their next steps. This project will come to fruition due the generous support of all three levels of government and to funds raised here in our community through the chase-the-ace fundraiser.”

The funding comes from a cost-shared agreement between the federal and provincial governments: the Social Infrastructure Funds Agreement.