Homelessness affects communities across British Columbia (B.C.) It can only be addressed when the Province of B.C., local governments and the community partner to ensure that the necessary housing and support services are in place.

The Province asked communities to get involved in breaking the cycle of homelessness. Municipalities are coming forward with city-owned sites to be developed. City Councils and City Halls are committing to expediting the development approvals process. Non-profit operators are working to build relationships within their communities.  

Agreements to expedite the approval process for the development of social and supportive housing have been reached with eight communities: Vancouver,   Victoria, Kelowna, Surrey, Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, Campbell River and Nanaimo.

The Province of B.C. will pay all costs to design the new housing developments through to the issuing of development and building permits. The City will expedite the municipal approvals process and lease the sites to the Province at a nominal cost. The Province of B.C. will then enter into an operator agreement with non-profit societies to manage and operate the developments.

The Province is working in partnership with local municipalities to create approximately 2,300 supportive housing units in communities across B.C.  To date, the Province of B.C. has committed $261 million in funding so that construction can begin on 1,047 of these units at 17 housing developments, creating an estimated 1,930 direct jobs.