PRINCE GEORGE - The Province is working with the City of Prince George on a proposal to deliver an additional 50 safe and supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness.

“We are working with the city and community partners to make sure vulnerable people have access to safe and supportive homes,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “When people are housed, they can access things like health care and skills training to help rebuild their lives, and the benefit of that opportunity extends across the community.”

The new homes are proposed for 855 1st Ave., the same block where plans are underway to build a project that will include 50 affordable rental homes, 50 supportive homes and on-site health-care services.

BC Housing would select an experienced non-profit service provider to manage the building with staff on site 24/7 to provide wraparound supports, including meal programs, life skills training and health and wellness support services.

In order to ensure the fastest possible delivery of these homes, the project would be built using modular construction. Each of the units would have their own washroom and kitchenette.

“Council is grateful to the Province, BC Housing and Northern Health for their ongoing partnership with the City of Prince George,” said Lyn Hall, mayor, City of Prince George. “The commitment of an additional 50 units of modular housing will further enhance our collective efforts to ensure vulnerable residents with complex needs are able to access supported housing and critical health-care services. The 1st Avenue project is the result of much hard work and collaboration and we look forward to seeing it develop and benefit our residents.”

A development permit application has been submitted to the city. If approved, construction of the 50-unit project is anticipated to begin in spring 2021. The rezoning process has been completed.

Quick Facts: 

• The Province, through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund, will fund the capital and operating costs of the project. The exact amounts will be determined once the proposal has progressed through municipal approvals.
• The City of Prince George has provided the land for project.
• Including these 50 new supportive homes, the Province is working in partnership to deliver approximately 300 new affordable homes in Prince George.

Learn More:

For more information about the project, visit: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/Prince-George

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

Rob van Adrichem
Director of External Relations
City of Prince George
250 561-7727

BACKGROUNDER

Services, supports provided for supportive housing

All new supportive housing buildings in the province have around-the-clock staffing to help young people, people with disabilities, seniors and others in critical need of housing.

The Province is providing annual operating funding to help those with the highest housing needs to build new beginnings. Experienced staff provide support to tenants, based on their assessed needs. These supports include:

• on-site supports and connection to additional specialized supports in their community;
• supports that are tailored to the needs of the residents; health and wellness services, including mental health and addiction treatment programs;
• individual or group support services, such as life skills training, community information and social and recreational programs;
• meals;
• case planning and needs assessment;
• supports designed to assist residents in meeting their personal and housing goals, including culturally specific programs;
• help accessing 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.

Contacts:

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

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org