VANCOUVER – An unprecedented partnership between the
Province, the City of Vancouver and the private sector will provide
$1.5 million to create up to 200 temporary shelter beds in three
locations for people who are homeless in Vancouver.
“Providing warm, safe shelter for every British
Columbian facing the prospect of a night on the streets in harsh
winter weather is a priority for all of us,” said
Premier Gordon Campbell. “Through shelters, we can
connect homeless persons with other services, supports and
permanent housing opportunities. We welcome this partnership with
the new mayor and council to work together to break the cycle of
homelessness.”
Each partner will provide $500,000 to fund temporary overnight
shelter beds for the next 90 days. The three locations are
distributed across the city at Stanley / New Fountain (36 Blood
Alley Square), 240 Northern Street and 1435 Granville Street. Once
these locations are operational, the need for additional spaces
will be evaluated.
“Since homelessness is the top priority of this
council, we are taking immediate action to get people off the
street and into a safe, warm environment,” said Mayor
Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver. “We recognize the
value of leveraging partnerships with the Province and the private
sector to create much-needed shelter.”
This short-term response complements other provincial housing
strategies already underway in Vancouver, including the purchase
and renovation of 17 single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels, the
development of over 1,400 new affordable housing units on 14 city
sites, 687 beds funded through the Emergency Shelter Program, and
498 beds provided through the Extreme Weather Response program.
“We are pleased to partner with the Province and the
City of Vancouver to provide temporary shelters to people who need
it most,” said John McLernon, chair of the Streetohome
Foundation. “This partnership supports the mandate of
the foundation to help people get off the street and into safe
affordable housing.”
PARTNERSHIP TO SHELTER HOMELESS IN VANCOUVER
December 16th, 2008
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BACKGROUNDER
PROVINCIAL HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE IN CITY OF VANCOUVER
BACKGROUNDER
PROVINCIAL HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE IN CITY OF VANCOUVER
The partnership between the Province, the City of Vancouver and
the Streetohome Foundation will provide $1.5 million to create up
to 200 temporary shelter beds at three locations across Vancouver.
This short-term response complements other provincial housing strategies already underway in Vancouver, including the Province’s purchase of the SRO hotels in the past year – an important step in preserving a valuable stock of affordable housing in Vancouver. This key piece is further supplemented by the Province’s partnering with the City of Vancouver at 14 new supportive housing developments that will make another 1,400 units available to those who need supported living accommodations.
This short-term response complements other provincial housing strategies already underway in Vancouver, including the Province’s purchase of the SRO hotels in the past year – an important step in preserving a valuable stock of affordable housing in Vancouver. This key piece is further supplemented by the Province’s partnering with the City of Vancouver at 14 new supportive housing developments that will make another 1,400 units available to those who need supported living accommodations.
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Emergency Shelter Program (ESP): The Province provides nearly $17 million in funding to emergency shelters in Vancouver, including more than $10 million to the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and the immediate vicinity to support 441 emergency beds at 10 shelters. The Extreme Weather Response makes an additional 500 spaces available in the Vancouver area.
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Homelessness Outreach Program (HOP): The Province offers outreach services to connect people who are homeless or have mental health or addictions issues with housing, income assistance, health care, and other supports. The Province has supported this outreach commitment with over $970,000 in funding.
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Single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels: To date, the Province has purchased 17 Vancouver SRO hotels, protecting a total of 1,035 units of affordable housing for those in greatest need. Of these, 937 units are located in the Downtown Eastside. Prior to 2001, the previous administration had acquired only two SRO hotels in the DTES, the Washington and Sunrise hotels – a total of 144 rooms.
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Affordable Housing with Integrated Support Services: In addition to the 1,400 new units created in partnership with the City of Vancouver, over the next few years, 455 units of supportive housing are expected to be completed in the DTES with operational start dates from 2008 - 2010. These projects include: Covenant House (32 units-W Pender St), the Pennsylvania Hotel (44 units-Carrall St), More Than a Roof (87 units-Richard Street), the former Woodward’s site (200 units), and the Lux (92 units at 55-65 E Hastings). In addition, 117 units will become available on East Hastings through Doorways of Hope with Union Gospel Mission.
The Province currently provides more than $15.7 million annually
to subsidize 5,466 units of social and supportive housing, managed
by non-profit societies, housing co-ops, or BC Housing, in the
DTES. This annual subsidy is more than double the amount provided
in 2001, and nearly double the 2,951 units of DTES social and
supportive housing at that time.
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Media contacts:
Susan Thom
Corporate Communications
BC Housing
604 230-1301
Bridgitte Anderson
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 307-7177
Kevin Quinlan
Office of the Mayor
City of Vancouver
778 995-2264
Jae Kim
President
Streetohome Foundation
604 629-2711
Susan Thom
Corporate Communications
BC Housing
604 230-1301
Bridgitte Anderson
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 307-7177
Kevin Quinlan
Office of the Mayor
City of Vancouver
778 995-2264
Jae Kim
President
Streetohome Foundation
604 629-2711