Ben Stewart - BC Liberal

[Castanet News]

This thread is for the candidacy of Ben Stewart - BC Liberal.

[strikes&gutters]

Here is the link to Ben Stewart's campaign website

http://www.benstewart.ca/

[mechanic_virus]

Excerpts from last years press release:

NEW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO HELP HOMELESS IN KELOWNA
March 19th, 2008

KELOWNA – The Province and the City of Kelowna have agreed to create up to 140 new supportive housing units on three City-owned sites to be built by 2010, Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman and Mayor Sharon Shepherd announced today.

Properties at 330 Boyce Crescent and 195 Rutland Road North will be developed with housing units for low-income singles who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Each development will have 30 to 50 units of apartment-style housing and space for supportive services. A proposal call seeking non-profit housing organizations to manage and operate the housing, and plans for support services, will be issued this spring by the Province.

A third property at 2938 Tutt St. will be developed with up to 40 larger family-type units for women and children. This site will be operated and managed by New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society.

Construction is expected to start in early 2009. The City approval process will be consistent with established policies and practices for development permit applications. The Province has agreed to arrange for the buildings’ capital and operating funding. Building costs are estimated to be around $30 million.

Excerpts from this years press release:

$22.7M HOUSING INVESTMENT TO CREATE 226 JOBS IN KELOWNA
April 9th, 2009

KELOWNA – The Province is investing $22.7 million for two supportive housing developments that will help break the cycle of homelessness in the City of Kelowna and create 226 jobs, announced Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman.
“The housing developments we’re announcing today will provide a number of tangible, immediate benefits to people in Kelowna,” said Coleman. “They will provide much-needed housing to address the needs of homeless people in the community, and create construction jobs that support working people and their families during a challenging economic climate.”

Both housing developments are scheduled to begin work this summer. They include:

* 40 units of housing at 330 Boyce Cres. The housing development will be managed and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Kelowna Branch. It will provide housing with support services to allow people to stabilize their lives before moving into more stable supportive housing.
*39 units of housing at 2938 Tutt St. The housing development will be managed and operated by the New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Canada Society. It will provide transitional second-stage housing for women and children.


Hey Ben, what did the Liberals do with that other $7.3 million they promised us? And why did they promise us 140 new units on three properties last year while only 79 units on two properties this year? What happened to the property on Rutland Rd. that the John Howard Society was to take on? And why, just before the election, are they announcing this like it's new money when it's pretty much the same release they put out last year but with some major cuts?

[Honda59]

Go Ben! Good luck tomorrow.

[cybergal]

Vote Green Instead
For example, we will make all freedom of information requests about our government easier and more affordable. That will help journalists and whistleblowers uncover the facts they need to keep our government accountable.
http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/platform/reform

[AlanH]

Vote Green Instead
For example, we will make all freedom of information requests about our government easier and more affordable. That will help journalists and whistleblowers uncover the facts they need to keep our government accountable.
http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/platform/reform

How did that go for you?