Program Overview
PHI was launched as a result of the Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions in December 2004. The Task Force, which consisted of mayors from across the province, recommended PHI as a way to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, gain greater self-reliance, and achieve appropriate employment.

The program is funded in part through the second phase of the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement . The federal and provincial governments have contributed $41.7 million each, for a total of almost $84 million.

Through Housing Matters BC , the Province has committed to creating more than 4,000 housing units under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative.

BC Housing allocates funding to developments that integrate subsidized housing with support services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, people with mental illnesses and physical disabilities, those with drug and alcohol addictions, aboriginal peoples, youth, and women with children fleeing abusive relationships.

To date the Province has purchased a total of 19 Single Room Occupancy hotels in Vancouver, Victoria and New Westminster, and is funding pre-development costs up to 1,616 city-owned supportive housing units in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Surrey.