KELOWNA - Forty-nine people will have a safe and secure place to call home with a new supportive housing project opening in Kelowna.

"These 49 new supportive homes will help support people who are vulnerable in the community and provide a safe place for those who don't have a home," said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. "In addition to these supportive homes, we are continuing our efforts to make sure everyone in Kelowna - from seniors on fixed incomes to working families - has an affordable place to live."

Located at 130 McCurdy Rd., McCurdy Place provides 49 homes with wraparound supports for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness who are further along their recovery journey. One floor of the four-storey building is dedicated to supporting young adults.

"Homelessness affects the whole community, not just the people who experience it directly, but also their families, friends and neighbours," said Colin Basran, mayor, City of Kelowna. "These new homes with supports mean 49 people in Kelowna will have a comfortable, reliable and safe place to live with the supports in place they need. That's an important accomplishment in itself, but it also demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies and different levels of government work together."

The Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna and District Branch (CMHA Kelowna) will manage the building. All residents will receive individualized case planning to further develop life and social skills, such as employment planning and managing the transition to independence and recovery. At least two staff members will be on site 24-7. The building will have additional supports, such as a mental health and substance use specialist.

"Recovery-oriented housing that is focused on the overall well-being of an individual is a great addition to the ecosystem of supportive housing in our community," said Shelagh Turner, executive director, CMHA Kelowna. "We are proud to be the operators of McCurdy Place, working alongside and supporting the residents as they realize their life goals."

Residents will begin moving into their new homes on Monday, March 22, 2021.

"The opening of McCurdy Place is a huge milestone for us," said Stephanie Ball, executive director, Central Okanagan Journey Home Society. "The addition of 300 units of supportive housing was one of our top-10 actions identified when Journey Home was founded in 2018, and we've surpassed it with McCurdy Place. More important than that is the impact these new homes will have in Kelowna. They could provide more permanent housing for someone currently living in a shelter or they could provide a safety net for someone at risk of experiencing homelessness."

A community advisory committee has been formed. It includes representatives from BC Housing, Interior Health, the City of Kelowna, RCMP, CMHA Kelowna, local businesses and community members. The committee will oversee the project's integration within the community and help address any concerns that may arise.

Quick Facts:

• The Province provided $12.4 million for the project through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund and will provide an annual operating subsidy of up to $1.4 million.
• Over the past two years, the Province has worked in partnership to open 274 supportive homes in Kelowna.
• In addition to supportive housing, the Province is working to build more than 1,000 homes in Kelowna and West Kelowna, including affordable rental homes for families, seniors and Indigenous peoples, transition homes for women and children leaving violence and rental homes for middle-income individuals and families.

Learn More:

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/

Journey Home Strategy: https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/addressing-homelessness/journey-home

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

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

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

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.

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, including 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.

Media Contacts:

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

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org