QUESNEL - Safe and secure homes are on the way for people experiencing homelessness as construction begins on a new supportive housing project in the community.

"Supportive housing has a powerful impact on the people who call it home and supports the overall health of the community," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "These homes are more than a roof and a bed. We're proud to work with community partners to provide a new start for people experiencing homelessness."

The 32 new supportive homes in the three-storey building will be self-contained, with private bathrooms and kitchens.

The Quesnel Shelter & Support Society will provide 24-hour service to help residents transition to independence and recovery through life and social skills training, and access to community services and support groups. Residents will also have a meal program with a community kitchen and activities that include cultural programming.

"Everyone needs a home," said Mel McDonald, executive director of the Quesnel Shelter & Support Society. "We're proud to help create safe, supportive homes for our community's most vulnerable. It's amazing to see how lives can change for the better with a safe place to stay, regular meals and wellness support."

Four of the homes will be support recovery units, funded and managed by Northern Health. Support services will be provided to residents with addiction issues who have either completed a primary withdrawal management program, are waiting for treatment, or those who are ready to integrate back to the community.

"There is a critical need for supportive housing in Quesnel," said Bob Simpson, mayor, City of Quesnel. "This project will provide homes and supportive services to the people in our community who need it."

Construction is expected to be complete by July 2020.

Quick Facts:

• The Province provided approximately $9 million in capital and construction funding to develop this project. The Province will also provide annual operating funding.
• The B.C. government is also addressing the need for more affordable housing for Indigenous peoples in Quesnel with 27 homes underway through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund.
• To address the issue of housing affordability for British Columbians, the Province is curbing speculation in B.C.'s housing market and helping to build 114,000 affordable homes, including market rental, non-profit, supported social housing and owner- purchase housing through partnerships.

Learn More:

To learn more about this project at 355 Elliott St., visit: https://www.bchousing.org/partner-services/public-engagement/elliott-street

To find out what the Province is doing to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/

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

Two backgrounders follow.

Contacts:

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

Tracy Wells
BC Housing
604 456-8841

BACKGROUNDER 1

Services and 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.

Services and supports provided to young people, seniors, people with disabilities and others who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, include:

• both on-site supports and connection to additional specialized supports in their community;
• supports that are tailored to the needs of the residents, such as education and employment opportunities, and health and wellness services, including mental health and addiction treatment programs;
• individual or group support services, such as life skills, community information and social and recreational programs;
• meals;
• case planning and needs assessment;
• other 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- or off-site.

Contacts:

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

Tracy Wells
BC Housing
604 456-8841

BACKGROUNDER 2

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

Tracy Wells
BC Housing
604 456-8841