RICHMOND - People experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Richmond are moving into new safe and secure homes with the opening of a 40-unit temporary supportive housing building.

Located at 2520 Smith St., Aster Place is a three-storey modular building with 40 self-contained units, each with a private washroom and kitchenette. The building has a commercial kitchen, laundry facilities and storage space.

Aster Place will provide housing for approximately 30 people living in Richmond's temporary Emergency Response Centre (ERC), which has provided safe accommodation for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic and will now close. Guests were assisted to move to Aster Place by the ERC operator, Turning Point Recovery Society. Vacancies in the building will be filled by other people in the community who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Community Builders Group will operate Aster Place and will provide residents with support services, including daily meals, life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental-health resources, and access to addiction treatment and recovery services. On-site staff will provide around-the-clock support to residents.

Aster Place will operate for approximately three years while the City of Richmond and the Province explore permanent housing solutions in the community.

This project is part of the more than 35,000 new homes that are complete or underway for people in B.C. through provincial government investments made since 2017, including more than 200 homes in Richmond.

  Quotes

  Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond-South Centre -

“The Richmond Emergency Response Centre was a vital resource for our community during the pandemic, helping vulnerable people stay safe and healthy during a time of uncertainty. Thank you to the Turning Point Recovery Society for operating this building over the past three years. Your hard work and dedication will always be appreciated.”

Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston -

“I would like to thank the City of Richmond and Community Builders Group for partnering with the Province to provide new supportive homes in the community, so vulnerable people have a safe and secure place to stay. We will continue to work with our partners to make sure people experiencing homelessness have a place to call home.”

Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough -

“I'm so glad to see the doors open on Aster Place, adding 40 safe and secure homes with supports for people in Richmond. More supportive housing for our neighbours who experience homelessness is good for the whole community.”

Malcolm Brodie, mayor, City of Richmond -

“Aster Place is another important component of the city's homelessness strategy and an example of how partnerships can result in housing for those residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The City of Richmond, BC Housing, the Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing, and Community Builders have worked together on this project to connect with tenants in need, understand the supportive services required and provide a safe and stable housing environment. The City of Richmond remains committed to being a leader that works with our community organizations and partners to provide options for those who have no home.”

Julie Roberts, executive director, Community Builders Group -

"Community Builders has a wealth of experience in offering supportive housing services and being a good neighbour. We can't wait to become part of the vibrant Richmond community. We believe this site is going to lead to a number of positive outcomes for its residents and for the area at large, and we look forward to the work of building relationships together and creating new homes and communities for Richmond residents that need them."

Quick Facts:

• The name Aster Place is derived from the aster flower, which represents love, hope and loyalty.
• The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $9.5 million through the Homelessness Action Plan for the project, and will provide annual operating funding of approximately $1.24 million.
• The City of Richmond waived $250,000 in fees and provided the land for the project.

Learn More:

To learn more about the project, visit: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/richmond-smith

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/