VANCOUVER – More people who are experiencing homelessness in Vancouver will have safe and secure homes with the opening of M. Mitchell Place, a 52-unit supportive housing project.

“We are working hard, in partnership with the City of Vancouver and our non-profit partners, to make sure people in need have a place to call their own,” said George Heyman, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview. “These much-needed new homes will not only give people comfort and security, but also around the clock support so they can focus on other areas of their lives.”

The grand opening marks the latest step taken by the Province and the city towards creating 600 supportive homes in Vancouver. There are now 260 new homes on five sites complete and 346 homes on five other sites at various stages of the development and approval process.

“It’s great to see the doors open on another 52 homes, moving us one step closer to our goal of bringing 600 people in off the street and providing them with the supports and resources they need to get back on track,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver. “This is about more than providing someone with a roof over their head – this new housing will help to build the sense of pride and stability that comes with being able to call a place home.”

The temporary modular building located at 2132 Ash Str. will be staffed 24/7 and provide life enhancing services to residents such as meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services, and opportunities for volunteer work.

The building is dedicated to the memory of Margaret Mitchell, who served as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver East for 14 years. She was a pioneer in community development, a tireless advocate for housing, and a fearless activist, supporting people who are living in poverty. She was instrumental in bringing violence against women and domestic abuse into the political spotlight.

Created as part of the Province’s Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program, the temporary modular homes will be operated by PHS Community Services.

“We would like to thank our partners at BC Housing and the City of Vancouver for working with us to provide housing and services to those most in need, and we are excited to welcome 52 tenants to their new homes,” said Jennifer Breakspear, executive director, PHS Community Services. “Margaret Mitchell worked to make change for a cause that she believed in and, in doing so, helped countless people all over B.C., and Canada. That kind of compassion and tenacity deeply resonates with PHS’ culture of supporting those in need.”

The new homes were constructed by B.C. manufacturer Horizon North, and each home contains a bathroom and kitchen.

“With modular construction, the timeline for building a housing project can be reduced by 30 to 50%, which means that the gap in accommodation for individuals vulnerable to displacement can be addressed more quickly,” said Rod Graham, president and chief executive officer of Horizon North. “Off-site construction is a fast, effective response to the growing issue of homelessness in communities throughout the province, and we’re happy to be a part of this effort to give vulnerable people the safe, stable environment they need to rebuild their lives.”

The B.C. government provided capital funding of $8 million and will provide an annual operating and support service subsidy for M. Mitchell Place.

Quick Facts:

• Through the Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program, the Province is investing $66 million to deliver 600 modular homes in Vancouver.
• This is part of a province-wide investment of $291 million to build 2,000 homes around the province and more than $170 million over three years to provide 24/7 staffing and support services.
• More than 2,000 new homes have now been confirmed in 22 B.C. communities in less than a year.
• Budget 2018 provides further supports for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with the announcement of an additional 2,500 new homes with 24/7 support services.
• The City of Vancouver is taking the following actions on permanent social and supportive housing:
  • Continuing to approve and open new affordable homes to respond to the housing crisis and homelessness. In 2017, approximately 200 permanent social and supportive homes opened across Vancouver. The City expects nearly 900 permanent social and supportive homes to open in 2018, 500 of which are already open and tenanted.

As part of the Housing Vancouver Strategy, the City has a target of approving 12,000 new units of permanent social and supportive housing over the next 10 years.

Learn More:

Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program: https://www.bchousing.org/partner-services/Building-BC/rapid-response-homelessness

Read Homes for B.C., government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

To find out more about temporary modular housing in the City of Vancouver, go to: www.vancouver.ca/temporarymodularhousing

Two backgrounders follow.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
250 952-0617

Rajvir Rao
BC Housing
604 456-8917

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
media@vancouver.ca
604 871-6336

BACKGROUNDER 1

Services and supports provided for temporary modular housing

All new temporary modular housing buildings in the province are being provided with around-the-clock staffing to help young people, people with disabilities, seniors and others in critical housing need.

The Province is investing $170 million over three years to help those with the highest housing needs to build new beginnings. Experienced non-profit housing providers will provide support to tenants based on their assessed needs.

Some of the services and supports that will be provided to young people, seniors, people with disabilities and others who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless are:

• Meals;
• Connecting residents to community supports such as education and employment opportunities, and health and wellness services;
• Individual or group support services such as life skills, community information and social and recreational programs;
• Case planning and needs assessment;
• Other supports designed to assist residents in meeting their personal and housing goals, including culturally-specific programs;
• Help to access income assistance, pension benefits, disability benefits, obtaining a B.C. identification card or establishing a bank account;
• Support for residents to learn how to operate and maintain a home; and

No-cost laundry services, either on-site or off-site.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
250 952-0617

Rajvir Rao
BC Housing
604 456-8917

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
media@vancouver.ca
604 871-6336

BACKGROUNDER 2

Status of temporary modular housing projects in Vancouver

Approximately 600 temporary modular homes are in various stages of the development and approval process.

Approved temporary modular homes include:

• Reiderman Residence: 7430 and 7460 Heather St., 78 homes open.
• Chartrand Place: 1131 Franklin St., 39 homes open.
• Aneki Housing for Women: 525 Powell St., 39 homes open.
• Sarah Ross House: 4480 Kaslo St., 52 homes open.
• M. Mitchell Place: 2132 Ash St., 52 homes open.
• Little Mountain: 137 E 37th Ave., 46 homes under construction.
• 610 and 620 (formerly 688) Cambie St.: 98 homes approved.
• 5077 and 5095 Heather St.: 98 homes approved.

Total – 502 homes

Temporary modular housing sites at development permit stage include:

• 215 West 1st Ave.: approximately 50 homes. The development permit application has been submitted to the city.
• Union St. and Gore Ave. (898 Main St.): approximately 50 homes. The development permit application has been submitted to the city.

Total – approximately 100 proposed homes

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
250 952-0617

Rajvir Rao
BC Housing
604 456-8917

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
media@vancouver.ca
604 871-6336