CANADA, March 19 - People will have more housing options and access to critical services as construction begins on a multi-use development with 97 non-market homes and a new health-care treatment centre.
“Everyone needs access to health care and safe, reliable housing,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “This development will not only offer low- to middle- income people and families a home that’s within their budget, but will also connect people to health-care treatment they need to get on a better path. Projects like this are part of the work we are doing to make communities healthier, safer and more vibrant for everyone.”
Once complete, the new development at 1636 Clark Dr. and 1321–1395 East 1st Ave. will provide 97 homes, rented at the lower end of market rates. These rental homes will be operated by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Affordable Housing Society.
“When people make the courageous decision to reach out for help with substance use, we need services to meet them where they are,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “For many, withdrawal management is often the first step of their recovery journey. This new facility is going to help more people get the critical supports they need and is another step in our work to expand access to treatment and recovery services in B.C., so people can get the care they need, where and when they need it.”
The development also includes a new withdrawal management centre with 51 medically supervised detox beds, 20 sobering beds and 20 short-term transitional beds. The transitional beds will be available for clients who have completed treatment through the withdrawal management centre and are waiting for support recovery and treatment beds in the region.
The withdrawal management centre will offer a range of supports and services, including on-site and out-patient withdrawal management, and sobering services. The centre will be operated by Vancouver Coastal Health and will replace the existing Vancouver Detox Centre.
The building will also house a space for Indigenous-led programs to support community and personal development, healing and wellness, through employment.
The project is a partnership of the Province, through BC Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the City of Vancouver. The development is expected to take approximately three years to build and construction is estimated to be complete in 2028.
This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including almost 10,000 homes in Vancouver.
Quotes:
Hedy Fry, MP for Vancouver Centre –
“Everyone deserves a place to call their own, and the Affordable Housing Fund is one way we’re helping make that a reality for Canadians and residents of Vancouver. We will keep investing in housing projects like this with the province and municipal governments, which not only will bring homes but also much-needed social supports as well. We depend on local government partners across the country to work with us to end the housing crisis.”
Joan Phillip, MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona –
“These homes and the care centre will go a long way to support seniors, adults and families in our community. Through this work, we are helping people access quality and affordable homes, while providing withdrawal services so people can access the care they need and live full, healthy lives.”
Bob Chapman, vice-president, Vancouver Community at Vancouver Coastal Health –
“We’re proud of this investment in the community and look forward to the impact it will have on those taking the next step in their recovery journey. This new centre allows us to wrap health-care services around clients within their community, providing support that will result in more responsive care.”
Ken Sim, mayor, Vancouver –
“We're excited to see this project move forward thanks to strong partnerships with the Province, BC Housing, CMHC, and Vancouver Coastal Health. With the city’s significant support, we're delivering much-needed housing and support - building a more inclusive, supportive Vancouver for everyone.”
Queenie Choo, CEO, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Affordable Housing Society –
“S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is very proud to be a part of this community development, bringing new affordable housing options to East Vancouver. Since 2008, our non-profit has developed more than 1,100 affordable units across Metro Vancouver. We are committed to helping more people in our province afford a place to call home.”
Learn More:
To learn more about government’s new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436
To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for people in B.C., visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/
Learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C.: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/
To learn how B.C. is building better mental-health and addictions care, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/BetterCare
For the most requested Government of Canada housing information, visit: www.canada.ca/housing
To learn more about the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, visit: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/
A backgrounder follows.
