EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 28, 2009) -

Edmonton, October 30, 2009 - Hope Mission is proud to debut the grand opening of Immigration Hall with the Hope Street Festival. This historical building, located at 10534 – 100 St, will offer 44 apartment suites. Responsibility and accountability are held in high standards and everyone living there will be paying rent, as well as respecting their property and their neighbours.

This exciting new facility is opening the same year Hope Mission is celebrating its 80th year of services to Edmonton's inner-city community.

Along with transitional and recovery programs, Hope Mission offers a variety of services to homeless and disadvantaged men, women and youth such as meal services, emergency shelters, youth programs and Rapid Exit, a division of the Housing First project.

The Government of Canada, through funding to Homeward Trust, invested $5.7 million to purchase the building and to renovate and redevelop Immigration Hall. The remaining funds of approximately $3.9 million were contributed by Alldritt Developments, Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs, Alberta Real Estate Foundation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the City of Edmonton Housing Branch & Heritage. The total cost of the building and redevelopment was $9.6 million.

"Our government is supporting many Canadians with housing needs and is fulfilling our commitment to help those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Mr. Tim Uppal, Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Sherwood Park, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "Through this investment, the Hope Mission and Homeward Trust Edmonton will be able to help people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, by providing supportive housing and services."

Homeward Trust is a not-for-profit organization that uses a community-based approach toward the goal of ending homelessness in Edmonton. Its primary role is to coordinate response to housing needs by working together with local agencies and all orders of government.