17
December
2020
|
10:09 AM
America/Los_Angeles

New supportive homes open, more on the way in Surrey

SURREY – Thirty-eight new supportive homes are opening in Surrey, while construction is set to start on 40 additional homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the community.

“These new homes are part of our ongoing work to make sure people have housing and the supports they need,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “We will continue to work with the City of Surrey and community partners to move more people into places they can call home.”

Located at 13245 King George Blvd., Peterson Place has finished construction and consists of 38 studio units, each with a private washroom and kitchen. The building will also include a commercial kitchen, dining and lounge areas, storage and amenity space, laundry and a medical room. Residents will arrive in the New Year.

Fraserside Community Services Society will operate the housing with supports. It will provide residents with on-site staff and support services 24-7, including meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services, and opportunities to contribute to the community.

In addition, construction is scheduled to start in early 2021 on 40 new supportive homes at 13620 80 Ave. The homes are expected to be complete in summer 2021 and will be operated by Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society.

Both projects are part of a commitment between the Province and the City of Surrey to deliver 250 permanent supportive modular homes in the community. Construction on 61 supportive homes at 14706 104 Ave. in Surrey is also underway.

Quotes:

Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley –

“These new homes will make a significant difference in people’s lives here in Surrey. Our government is working hard to reduce homelessness and to make life better for vulnerable people in our community.”

Harry Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton –

“The need for supportive homes for vulnerable people in the Surrey-Newton community is strong. I would like to thank the City of Surrey and Phoenix Society for partnering with the Province to build these 40 new homes in our community to make sure people in need have a safe place to live with wraparound supports.”

Doug McCallum, mayor, City of Surrey –

“We are proud of how this project came together, particularly through this time of the pandemic, to deliver safe and secure housing for our city’s most vulnerable residents at a time when it is needed more than ever. With a strong commitment to ending homelessness, we will now press forward with the same sense of urgency to deliver an additional 40 supportive homes in Newton, with construction beginning next month. I thank all of our partners who have worked together to make these projects a reality.”

Lynda Edmonds, CEO, Fraserside Community Services Society –

“All of us with Fraserside are thrilled to welcome people into their new homes at Peterson Place. People experience belonging when they have a home and when they can belong to a community. Peterson Place is a community where people feel safe in their homes and where they will have access to support, health services and friendship, all essential ingredients to not only surviving, but actually thriving.”

Keir Macdonald, CEO, Phoenix Society –

“Phoenix Society is excited that construction of the 40 new homes on 80th Ave. is about to begin in early 2021. We look forward to operating this new facility when it opens its doors next spring. These projects are an important step in advancing the continuum of care for those experiencing homelessness and will provide residents with many of the supports they need to move forward with their lives.”

Quick Facts:

  • The Province provided $11.3 million for Peterson Place as part of the Homelessness Action Plan and will provide annual operating funding of $732,000.
  • For the project at 13620 80 Ave., the Province is providing $10.3 million as part of the Rapid Response to Homelessness program and will provide $1.2 million in annual operating funding.

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/

A backgrounder follows.

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