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NEWS RELEASE | |
For Immediate Release 2020MAH0055-000896 May 16, 2020 |
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing |
New supportive homes offer hope for people in Prince Rupert | |
PRINCE RUPERT – The Government of B.C., the City of Prince Rupert and North Coast Transition Society (NCTS) have partnered to purchase a building that will provide new, permanent, supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. “Homelessness affects not only those experiencing it, but also the community as a whole,” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast. “We’re excited to work with our partners to convert this building into new supportive homes for people in Prince Rupert. These homes with supports will help people experiencing homelessness to regroup and recover, and the benefits will extend into the community.” The Province, through BC Housing, has purchased the former Raffles Inn motel at 1080 3rd Ave. and will convert it into a permanent supportive housing building with up to 48 units, each with private washrooms, showers and mini kitchens. The building will include a commercial kitchen, dining and lounge areas, storage and amenity space, laundry and a medical examination room. Once complete, this building will have the capacity for a 35-space temporary shelter or an extreme weather response shelter. “These new units of supportive housing will offer 24/7 support to our community's most vulnerable, including achieving economies of scale by integrating a temporary shelter as well,” said Lee Brain, mayor, Prince Rupert. “When the first supportive units opened at Crow’s Nest, they were immediately full, proving that the need exceeded the supply of available units. We are happy to be working with the Province to make this happen in Prince Rupert.” NCTS will operate the supportive housing building and will provide residents with 24/7 on-site staff and support services, including meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services and opportunities for volunteer work. “We are very excited about this opportunity and much needed project that serve the needs of the most marginalized members of our community,” said Christine White, executive director, NCTS. “The people of Prince Rupert have been so generous and supportive of those living on the streets. We know that this will benefit the community as having a home and a safe place is a start for life-changing opportunities. BC Housing and MLA Jennifer Rice have been a huge support in this project, in addition to all our other community partners. We look forward to moving on with the project.” NCTS operates a 35-space temporary shelter at Fisherman’s Hall at 869 Fraser St. Once renovations at 1080 3rd Ave. are complete, all guests from the shelter will be transitioned to the new supportive housing. Construction will begin in fall 2020. The shelter portion of the building is expected to open in early 2021, with the supportive homes ready by fall 2021. Quick Facts:
Learn More: For more information on how BC Housing is supporting British Columbians during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit: https://www.bchousing.org/COVID-19/ A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/ Two backgrounders follow. |
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Contacts: | |
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Media Relations 250 213-5561 | Laura Mathews BC Housing media@bchousing.org |
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BACKGROUNDER 1 | |
For Immediate Release 2020MAH0055-000896 May 16, 2020 |
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing |
Services, supports provided for modular housing | |
All new modular housing buildings in the province have around-the-clock staffing to help young people, people with disabilities, seniors and others in critical need of housing. The Province is providing annual operating funding to help those with the highest housing needs to build new beginnings. Experienced staff provide support to tenants based on their assessed needs. Services and supports provided to young people, seniors, people with disabilities and others who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, include:
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Contacts: | |
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Media Relations 250 213-5561 | Laura Mathews BC Housing media@bchousing.org |
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BACKGROUNDER 2 | |
For Immediate Release 2020MAH0055-000896 May 16, 2020 |
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing |
Province building new homes to meet full spectrum of housing needs | |
The B.C. government is working in partnership with non-profits, municipalities, First Nations, Indigenous housing organizations and the private sector to build 114,000 affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians by 2028. Budget 2018 included a $7-billion investment in the homes people need. As a result of that investment, more than 23,000 new homes are completed, under construction or in the approvals process for a range of people who are struggling to find a place to live, from people who are experiencing homelessness and seniors on fixed incomes, to middle-income families, students and individuals. As of Dec. 31, 2019, this includes: Housing for people with middle incomes The average annual household income qualifying for homes underway is under $99,000 per year – 2,802 homes:
Housing for people with low to moderate incomes This includes people residing in social housing (household incomes less than $65,000) as well as those living in affordable market rentals (households with annual incomes up to $74,000) – 9,837 homes: Affordable market:
Social housing or subsidized rents:
Housing for people with very low incomes Rental housing for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, or for people with very low incomes (includes supportive housing and shelter-rate housing) – 4,795 homes:
Housing for students – 5,584 homes:
Total: 23,018 homes |
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Contacts: | |
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Media Relations 250 213-5561 | Laura Mathews BC Housing media@bchousing.org |