$28.8-MILLION SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BREAKS GROUND IN VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER – Today’s groundbreaking of a $28.8-million supportive housing development on East 1st Ave. will provide 129 new apartments for people who are homeless, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development.

“The Province is committed to partnering with local governments so British Columbians have better access to affordable and supportive housing options with integrated support services,” said Coleman. “Our partnership with the City of Vancouver helps us build a stronger community by creating jobs and providing a safe place for people to live.”

“This new development will offer a place for people to change their lives – find housing, support, community, and hope,” said Mary McNeil, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. “I applaud all the partners involved in this important community project.”

The site, located at 188 East 1st Ave., is the fourth site to break ground under the memorandum of understanding between the Province and the City of Vancouver to build 14 new supportive housing developments in Vancouver.

The Province is investing $21.8 million in capital infrastructure funding for this development, along with a $1 million pre-development funding grant. The City of Vancouver is contributing $6 million through a combination of land and development waivers. Through this partnership, the building will be owned by the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation (PRHC) on land leased from the City on a 60-year term.

“By providing these new supportive housing units, we're helping people off the street and into homes, and in the process moving closer to our goal of ending street homelessness by 2015,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “These housing units are desperately needed, and we will be continuing to work closely with the Province to get the rest of our 14 sites of social housing funded, under construction, and completed as quickly as possible.”

Lookout Emergency Aid Society will manage and operate 188 East 1st Ave., providing social housing for homeless adults living in Vancouver. Residents will receive life skills training, programs on cooking and nutrition, budgeting, and basic hygiene, gaining the necessary skills to move towards living independently. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) will be providing funding towards support services.

“A part of our mission is to partner with organizations to provide exceptional health and support services in Lower Mainland communities,” said Allyson Muir, manager, Mental Health and Addictions Housing, VCH. “We are proud to partner with Lookout Emergency Aid Society to provide a safe environment for those in need and we look forward to seeing this development complete and fully operating.”

“Finding stable housing has presented an incredible challenge to the people who will live in this development; here they will find a safe place to slowly rebuild their lives,” said Karen O’Shannacery, executive director of Lookout Emergency Aid Society. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Province and the City, and look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”

In 2009-10, the Province's budget for social housing is approximately $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001.

‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness.

Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.

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BACKGROUNDER
188 EAST 1ST AVENUE

Lookout Emergency Aid Society’s development at 188 East 1st Ave. in Vancouver will provide 129 units of housing with integrated support services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The development is an eleven-and-a-half-storey building with 129 self-contained studio apartments and one level of underground parking. The ground floor will consist of commercial rental space managed by the City of Vancouver.

The development has been designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification standards.

PARTNERS AND FUNDING:

The total capital cost of this development is approximately $28.8 million:

OPERATIONS FUNDING:

LOOKOUT EMERGENCY AID SOCIETY

Established in 1971, Lookout Emergency Aid Society is a non-profit, charitable organization, providing services to adult men and women. Their clients may be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and may also face a wide variety of challenges including mental-health issues, physical disabilities, social dysfunctions and substance abuse. Lookout Emergency Aid Society provides services through their emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing and community services. The society operates 22 programs at 14 sites located in three municipalities: Vancouver, New Westminster and the North Shore.

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Media contacts:
Patricia Lusic
BC Housing
604 456-8895
604 314-1458 (cell)

Corporate Communications
City of Vancouver
Media Line
604 871-6336