SURREY - The Province, through BC Housing, is buying a hotel in Surrey to provide nearly 30 homes with supports for people experiencing homelessness.

"The urgency with which we're addressing homelessness through purchases like these is informed by the reality that housing is the foundation of people's lives and of healthy, safe communities," said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. "This building purchase gives us the opportunity to provide safe, secure and supportive housing for people as they move forward in their journey to independent living. If people are housed instead of living in a local park or on a sidewalk, so much more becomes possible for them and for the broader community where they live."

The property, the former Travelodge Hotel, consists of 28 units and is located at 13939 - 104 Ave.

This site will provide homes with supports for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In the coming weeks, BC Housing will begin transitioning people into the building, once an experienced operator has been chosen.

Residents of the building will have access to support services, including daily meals, life skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental health resources, and access to addiction treatment and recovery services. The site will feature 24/7 staffing to provide around-the-clock support to residents.

The operator will set up community advisory committees to oversee integration within the community and to address any questions raised by people in the neighbourhood.

This purchase is part of the Province's ongoing actions to provide housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and to build upon the 250 supportive homes that the City of Surrey and the Province have committed to creating. From this commitment, 38 units are now open and an additional 100 are underway in Surrey, with the remaining projects to be announced in the coming months.

Quotes:

Doug McCallum, mayor, City of Surrey -

"It has long been our view that providing a safe and secure place to call home is critical to ending the cycle of homelessness. This supportive housing project is another example of how much can be accomplished by working together on a common goal. I want to thank the Province and BC Housing for the productive partnership we have developed."

Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley -

"With this purchase, we are able to help support more vulnerable people in the community and provide a safe place for those who don't have a home. Our government has taken strong action to tackle homelessness in Surrey - including ending the encampment on the Whalley Strip. These homes are one more step to help address homelessness in Surrey and give those in need access to vital services."

Quick Facts:

• The Province is investing $8.7 million to purchase the former Travelodge Hotel in Surrey through the Supportive Housing Fund.
• An independent appraisal of the site was completed on Dec. 8, 2020. The appraisal took into account the existing market value of the property and valued the building and land at $8.1 million.
• The Province paid $8.1 million for the property, as well as about $600,000 in taxes and closing fees.
• BC Housing will also provide an annual operating subsidy of about $840,000.

Learn More:

More information about BC Housing's plans for these sites is available online: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/surrey-13939-104-ave

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/

Contacts:

Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing
Media Relations
778 678-1572

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org