RICHMOND - A new permanent, accessible shelter for people experiencing homelessness is helping meet their immediate needs, while offering supports to help them build a brighter future.

"As we make progress on building much-needed housing throughout the province, we also recognize the immediate need to help people experiencing or at the brink of homelessness," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "It's important that people in need know there is a safe, warm place for them, with training and supports to help them move forward in their lives right here in Richmond."

The new shelter at 12040 Horseshoe Way was built to replace the former Salvation Army men's shelter on Shell Road. People staying at the shelter on Shell Road will have first access to the new space.

The 36-bed shelter offers spaces for men and women, with options for couples. The shelter meets an immediate need for drop-in spaces for women in Richmond.

Open 24 hours a day, year-round, the shelter has a dining room, commercial kitchen, laundry facility and washrooms. Meals are provided.

The City of Richmond has partnered with the Province to help address homelessness in its community. The city purchased the site, valued at $6 million.

"The City of Richmond continues to evaluate and respond to the needs of residents experiencing homelessness throughout the community," said Malcolm Brodie, mayor, City of Richmond. "The city works in partnership with senior levels of government and the private and non-profit sectors to develop the right mix of housing to support the needs of all residents. By working together, we offer residents experiencing homelessness a safe space and the opportunity to take the first step toward achieving stability in their lives."

The Salvation Army, which operates the shelter, will provide access to life skills training, employment programs and counselling, as well as connecting people to health and legal services.

"The need for safe, secure shelter for those struggling with homelessness in Richmond is critical and urgent and that is why this project is so important," said Major Kathie Chiu, corps officer and executive director, Salvation Army Richmond. "We are very grateful to the City of Richmond and the provincial government for this project and our ongoing partnership. Together we are giving people hope today and every day."

Quick Facts:

• The B.C. government provided $5.7 million for the new shelter.
• To address the issue of housing affordability for British Columbians, the Province is curbing speculation in B.C.'s housing market and working with partners to build114,000 affordable market rental, non-profit, supported social housing and owner-purchase housing through partnerships.
• Additional B.C. government-funded projects in Richmond include:
  • Rapid Response to Homelessness (modular housing): 40 homes with 24/7 support for people experiencing homelessness, opened April 2019
  • HousingHub partnership: approximately 140 homes in development through a partnership with the B.C. Conference of the United Church of Canada
• Since 2007, the City of Richmond has secured commitments to create over 2,400 housing units, including both affordable and market units. The forthcoming Homelessness Strategy 2019-29 will guide the community's actions to address homelessness over the next 10 years.

Learn More:

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

To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges

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 affordable housing and homelessness in Richmond, visit: richmond.ca/affordablehousing

To find out more about the Salvation Army in Richmond, visit: salvationarmyrichmond.org/

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 698-9176

Laura Matthews
BC Housing
604 439-8571

Clay Adams
Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
City of Richmond
604 276-4399

BACKGROUNDER

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership to build 114,000 affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians by 2028.

Budget 2018 included a $7-billion investment in the homes people need. As a result of that investment, more than 20,000 new homes are completed, under construction or in the approvals process for a range of people that are struggling to find a place to live — from people who are experiencing homelessness and seniors on fixed incomes, to middle-income families, students and individuals. To date, this includes:

Housing for middle-income earners (households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000) – approximately 2,460 homes:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 1,500 rental homes for people with middle incomes.
• HousingHub: 960 homes.

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes (including some where rents are based on 30% of household income and others with set rents, which are designed to be affordable to moderate-income households, in most cases earning less that $70,000 annually) – approximately 9,200 homes:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 3,700 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes.
• Affordable Rental Housing Program: nearly 1,600 homes for low to moderate incomes.
• Deepening Affordability Fund: more than 2,100 homes for low to moderate incomes.
• Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: more than 1,150 homes for Indigenous peoples, on and off reserve.
• Regional Housing First Program: more than 600 homes for people with low to moderate incomes.

Housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (shelter-rate housing) – approximately 2,800 homes:

• Rapid Response for Homelessness: more than 2,000 homes with 24/7 support.
• Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: more than 550 homes with 24/7 support.
• Regional Housing First Program: more than 170 homes for those ready to live independently with supports.

Housing for women and children leaving violence – approximately 340 homes:

• Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: approximately 340 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence.

Housing for students – approximately 5,600 homes:

• BC Student Housing Loan Program: approximately 2,700 on-campus student housing units are underway or in the approvals process.
• Nearly 2,900 student housing units are also underway or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions.

Total: approximately 20,400 homes

Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Media Relations
778 698-9176

Laura Mathews
BC Housing
604 439-8571

Clay Adams
Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
City of Richmond
604 276-4399