Partnership; land; funding; experience. That's what the Province of British Columbia, eight municipal governments, and a variety of non-profit housing providers bring to the table for 32 new supportive housing sites across the province. Together these sites will provide over 2,300 apartments and offer integrated support services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Overview

On October 12, 2007, the Province of B.C. announced four measures to fight homelessness . As part of this announcement, the Province committed to funding pre-development costs for new supportive housing units on city-owned sites, including architectural, geotechnical and environmental plans and studies. This announcement builds on the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC , which was announced in October 2006.

In 2007/08, the Province of British Columbia signed agreements with eight municipal governments to develop 32 social and supportive housing sites primarily on city-owned land. Construction is now underway at approximately one third of these developments.

Why build new supportive housing?

These sites will help formerly homeless people move further along the housing continuum towards greater independence.
They will offer residents self-contained units with kitchenettes and private bathrooms.
Non-profit operators will provide support services to tenants as well as to other disadvantaged people in the community.