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Support housing named after Matsqui councillor

Construction is underway on a new supportive housing project in Abbotsford.

Construction is underway on a new supportive housing project in Abbotsford.

Located at 3096 Clearbrook Rd., the $10.3 million, 41-unit building will contain a mix of studio and one- to four-bedroom apartments for single women or women with children at risk of homelessness in the Fraser Valley.

The new facility will be named in honour of Christine Lamb, who passed away last month.

Lamb was the first woman elected to Matsqui council, serving three terms from 1988 to 1993. An avid community supporter, Lamb volunteered her time to many local causes.

“We’ve been searching for a name for this project right from the beginning,” explained Pamela Willis, executive director of the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley.

The WRSFV is a non-profit society and will manage and operate the affordable apartments. For more than 25 years, the WRSFV has provided and promoted the development of services that assist in the reduction of domestic violence against women and their children in the Fraser Valley.

“When Christine passed, we all agreed that she was a great role model,” Willis said.

On April 11, the decision was made to call the project the Christine Lamb Residence.

According to Willis, Lamb was a close friend of the society, having personal experience with single parenthood.

The naming of the site was announced Thursday as part of an official construction ceremony.

The “celebration of construction puts us one step closer to improving the quality of life for vulnerable women and children in the Fraser Valley. Together, we can help women and their children live safe, stable, independent lives,” said Willis.

The project is part of an agreement between the province and the city to create new affordable housing. B.C. provided a grant of approximately $8.9 million while Abbotsford donated the land, valued at approximately $1.36 million, and waived property taxes and development cost charges.

Construction is expected to be complete by spring 2012.

Last week, the province and city announced a site for another development under their partnership agreement, the George Schmidt Centre, a transitional housing project for men at risk of homelessness.