SURREY - Two new supportive housing buildings will provide more than 100 rooms in Surrey, providing homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2020 on Guildford Place, located at 14706 104 Ave. Guildford Place will consist of 61 permanent studio units, each with a private washroom and kitchen. The building will include a commercial kitchen, dining and lounge areas, storage and amenity space, laundry and a medical room. Construction for Guildford Place is expected to be complete by May 2021, with residents moving in soon after.

“The need for safe, secure housing has never been more important,” said Gary Begg, MLA for Surrey-Guildford. “We are taking urgent action with our partners to provide more supportive homes because we’ve seen how successful this type of housing has been for helping people move forward with their lives.”

In addition, BC Housing and the City of Surrey have identified a site for another supportive housing building. Located at 13620 80 Ave., the building will consist of 40 homes for people experiencing homelessness in the community.

“Our community is safer and healthier when people have housing and the supports they need,” said Harry Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton. “These new homes are another step forward in reducing homelessness in Surrey and making sure people have a place to call their own.”

BC Housing intends to submit a temporary use permit application for the 80th Avenue site to the City of Surrey later in June. If approved, construction will begin by September 2020. Details about the project will be mailed directly to local residents and businesses and posted online: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/surrey

Both projects are part of a commitment between the Province and the City of Surrey to deliver 250 permanent supportive modular homes to replace the current temporary sites in the community. The first project as part of this commitment, Peterson Place, is under construction: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020MAH0058-000920

"Today’s announcement is another step in the right direction to provide safe and supportive housing for our city’s most vulnerable,” said Doug McCallum, mayor, City of Surrey. “These projects will ensure residents have a roof over their head and the necessary support services in place as they transition off the streets. These projects are an illustration of what can be accomplished when various levels of government and organizations work together to end the cycle of homelessness. I commend everyone who has been involved in bringing these projects to realization.”

Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society will operate the 80th Avenue site and provide residents with 24/7 on-site staff and support services, including meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services and opportunities for volunteer work. Lookout Housing and Health Society will operate Guildford Place and will provide similar services.

“The Phoenix Society is excited to be working with BC Housing and the City of Surrey to deliver 40 new homes in Surrey,” said Keir Macdonald, CEO, Phoenix Society. “This is 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 get back on their feet.”

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:

• The Province will provide $15.9 million to the Guildford project as part of the Homelessness Action Plan, $100,000 in one-time startup costs and an annual ongoing operating subsidy of $1.1 million.
• The Province will provide details on funding for the 80th Avenue site as the project moves closer to construction.
• The City of Surrey provided the land for both projects.
• The Province has worked with partners to open 161 supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness in Surrey over the last two years. An additional 330 supportive homes, including the Guildford and Newton sites, are underway.
• Over 3,000 spaces in hotels, motels and community centres throughout B.C. have been secured for vulnerable people to reside during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Surrey, BC Housing has secured 206 spaces to date for vulnerable people in the community.

Learn More:

For more information on how BC Housing is supporting British Columbians during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit: https://www.bchousing.org/COVID-19/

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/

Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Media Relations
778 584-1255

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

Two backgrounders follow.

BACKGROUNDER

Services, 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
• free laundry services, either on or off site.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org

BACKGROUNDER

Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership with non-profits, municipalities, First Nations, Indigenous housing organizations and the private sector 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 23,000 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 Dec. 31, 2019, this includes:

Housing for people with middle incomes

The average annual household income qualifying for homes underway is under $99,000 per year:

• HousingHub: 2,802 homes

Housing for people with low to moderate incomes

This includes people residing in social housing (household incomes less than $65,000) as well as those living in affordable market rentals (households with annual incomes up to $74,000) – 9,837 homes:

Affordable market:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (30% of units in each project): 1,565 rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Affordable Rental Housing Program: 1,615 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Deepening Affordability Fund: 1,976 homes for people with low to moderate incomes
• Regional Housing First Program: 907 homes for people with low to moderate incomes

Social housing or subsidized rents:

• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (50% of units in each project): 2,609 rental homes for people with low incomes
• Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund: 1,165 homes for Indigenous peoples, on- and off- reserve

Housing for people with very low incomes

Rental housing for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, or for people with very low incomes (includes supportive housing and shelter-rate housing) – 4,795 homes:

• Rapid Response to Homelessness: 2,012 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund: 1,060 homes with 24/7 support
• Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund: 679 spaces of transition, second-stage and affordable rental housing for women and children leaving violence
• Building BC: Community Housing Fund (20% of units in each project): 1,044 homes

Housing for students – 5,584 homes:

• BC Student Housing Loan Program: 2,699 on-campus student housing units are under construction, in development or in the approvals process
• 2,885 student housing units are also completed, under construction or in development through partnerships with post-secondary institutions

Total: 23,018 homes

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 584-2433

BC Housing
media@bchousing.org