22
November
2019
|
09:32 AM
America/Los_Angeles

New supportive housing coming soon to Surrey

SURREY – Safe, secure homes are on the way for people experiencing homelessness in Surrey as construction begins on new supportive housing in the community.

“These new homes with supports will give people experiencing homelessness in Surrey the chance to make a lasting change in their lives,” said Rachna Singh, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers. “We have seen how successful supportive housing has been both for residents and neighbourhoods in Surrey, and we’re proud to work with community partners to provide more of these.”

Located at 14150 Green Timbers Way, the Green Timbers Supportive Housing project will provide 100 supportive homes and 30 transitional accommodation spaces for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“The Green Timbers Supportive Housing project is a leading example of the meaningful housing options the City of Surrey is providing for some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Doug McCallum, mayor, City of Surrey. “The Green Timbers project will provide not only a dignified space to live in, but it will have the necessary supports and services to help the residents succeed in transitioning off the streets. I want to thank BC Housing and all of our partners for helping us bring this very worthwhile project to fruition.”

RainCity Housing and Support Services Society will operate the building and provide residents and shelter guests with meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services, and opportunities for volunteer work. At least two staff members will be on site 24/7 to assist residents.

“In the spring 2015, RainCity Housing established our Intensive Case Management Team in Surrey, providing a range of outreach supports coupled with rent supplements to people experiencing homelessness,” said Greg Richmond, co-executive director, RainCity Housing.

“Our work in Surrey would not have been possible without the exceptional and ongoing support of the community, RCMP and other service providers. As we continue to come alongside the Semiahmoo Nation and work closely with the larger community, we are thrilled to offer permanent, supported, affordable housing and transitional spaces to local residents.”

The Province provided nearly $30 million through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund and construction financing, and will provide an annual operating subsidy for the project. The City of Surrey provided the land for the project and will partner with the Province to fund the construction of Foxglove Drive, the new road that will provide access to the building.

Construction is expected to be complete by late 2021.

Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quick Facts:

  • Residents will be charged a monthly rate of $375, which is the social assistance shelter allowance provided by the Province to people experiencing homelessness. There is no fee for transitional accommodation spaces.
  • In just over two years, government has built close to 2,100 supportive homes, with over 800 more underway and a goal of 4,700 over 10 years.

Learn More:

New reports show that supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness is substantially improving the quality of life for residents and reducing their use of emergency health services. The full reports and a summary of the results can be found here: https://www.bchousing.org/modular-supportive-housing-resident-outcomes-reports

Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund program: https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/funding-opportunities/Building-BC-SHF

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/

To find out more about RainCity Housing and Support Services, visit: www.raincityhousing.org

Two backgrounders follow.

Contacts:

Liam Butler
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER 1

Services and supports provided for modular housing

All new modular 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:

  • 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-site or off-site.

Contacts:

Liam Butler
Media Relations
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

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 22,000 new homes are completed, under construction or in the approvals process for a range of people who 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. As of Aug. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for middle-income earners (households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000) – approximately 4,120 homes:

  • Building BC: Community Housing Fund: approximately 1,500 rental homes for people with middle incomes.
  • HousingHub: approximately 2,620 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 than $70,000 annually) – approximately 9,320 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 2,150 homes for low to moderate incomes.
  • Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: approximately 1,170 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off-reserve.
  • Regional Housing First Program: approximately 700 homes for people with low to moderate incomes.

Housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (shelter-rate housing) – approximately 3,060 homes:

  • Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,064 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: approximately 800 homes with 24/7 support.
  • Regional Housing First Program: approximately 200 homes for those ready to live independently with supports.

Housing for women and children leaving violence – approximately 360 homes:

  • Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: approximately 360 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 22,460 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org