People without homes in the City of Vancouver could be given a place to call their own in the coming year.
“The need for safe, secure housing has never been more clear,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson, who announced B.C.'s new partnership with the city Tuesday to construct 450 new supportive homes.
This includes 98 temporary modular homes and 350 permanent units – all built on city-owned land, having sourced capital funds, and continued operating costs from the province's Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund.
The 98 temporary homes will be located at 1580 Vernon Dr. in East Vancouver, which currently sits vacant.
The envisioned housing development will see two, three-storey buildings erected with up to 52 studios in each.
“There’s only one way to tackle the ongoing homelessness crisis: building homes. And the fastest way to build homes is by investing in modular housing,” said Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart.
“These much-needed temporary modular homes with wraparound services will have a big impact on vulnerable people living in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant,” added Vancouver-Mount Pleasant MLA Melanie Mark.
Support services for tenants will include access to meals, health care, life-skills training, and employment opportunities.
Once open, each of the sites would be managed by an experienced non-profit housing operator on-site.
A public information session, where locals can ask questions and share their feedback, will be held online in October.
If approved, the new homes are estimated to be open by spring 2021 and will remain in place for around five years, with an option to renew the lease.
“The former government made a calculated decision to ignore the escalating housing needs of the residents of East Vancouver. While it will take time to undo 16 years of neglect, today’s investment is a positive step for our community," emphasized Mark.
The homes are in addition to around 1,000 supportive homes the province has opened in Vancouver since 2017.
