TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IN PORT COQUITLAM BREAKS GROUND

PORT COQUITLAM – More transitional housing will be available to people with mental illnesses, who may have co-occurring disorders such as addictions, thanks to New View Society’s Iris House, which officially breaks ground today, announced Iain Black, Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services and MLA for Port Moody-Westwood.

“Mental illnesses and addictions can play a huge role in why some people become homeless and are unable to get off the streets,” said Black. “Through Iris House, the Province is providing stable housing and support services that will help people become healthy, stay off the streets and achieve their long-term goals.”

Iris House is part of the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, which integrates support services with housing to help people move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, greater self-reliance and appropriate employment. Iris House will also receive funding through the Province’s Housing Trust Fund.

“This project demonstrates the benefit of government and community working together to provide more stable housing options for individuals in the greatest need,” said City of Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore. “Iris House will help provide an effective long-term solution to the issue of homelessness in our community.”

Located at 2050 Mary Hill Road, the two-storey development will have a total of ten beds and will share resource space with a community wellness building that New View Society plans to build adjacent to Iris House. The main floor of the residence will consist of an open-plan living room, kitchen and dining room space with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a laundry room. On the second floor there will be four bathrooms and eight bedrooms. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2010.

Fraser Health is providing funding for onsite support and will work collaboratively with New View Society to ensure community mental health and addiction services are available for clients at Iris House.

“It is our priority to create healthier communities and this includes coordinating services with other agencies to improve access to care for those at risk of homelessness,” said Dan Kipper, manager, Mental Health and Addictions Housing, Fraser Health. “We are committed to ensuring these clients have access to health services and we will work within our resources to ensure that Iris House is a success.”

New View Society will provide housing support, employment services, social and personal growth opportunities through Iris House and the adjacent building. The society also brought in the land equity, estimated at $277,083.

“Iris House will assist those in our community who are living with a mental illness, are at risk of homelessness and need a safe place to continue their recovery,” said Gisela Theurer, director of Rehabilitation, New View Society. “The society encourages self-sufficiency, assists individuals in regaining hope, and promotes safe, healthy communities. We provide stable supports for people while they are regaining their independence. We have been in operation for over 35 years and are the largest provider of mental health services in the Tri-Cities area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.”

The Province has committed to creating more than 4,000 new housing units under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The Province’s budget for shelters and affordable housing is $400 million – more than three times what it was in 2001.

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Media contacts:
Darija Tomasic
BC Housing
604-456-8845
604-374-4534

Gisela Theurer
Director of Rehabilitation
New View Society
604-941-3222 Ext. 112