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Newly Renovated Social Housing Opens in New Westminster

The governments of Canada and British Columbia officially opened the Russell Housing Centre (formerly College Place Hotel), which will provide emergency shelter and supportive housing for adults at risk of homelessness in New Westminster.

“Canada’s Economic Action Plan is stimulating the economy and creating jobs during the global recession here in British Columbia and across Canada,” said Senator Yonah Martin, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).This is a good way to get the local economy moving and put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly, as well as improving the quality of existing social housing, giving a hand-up to those families who need it most.”

“The Province is committed to providing increased access to safe, affordable, supportive housing for our most vulnerable people, and that is why we’ve provided $10.4 million for the purchase and renovation of the Russell Housing Centre,” said Harry Bloy, MLA for Burnaby – Lougheed. “Combining emergency shelter with transitional housing under one roof is an effective method to help break the cycle of homelessness here in New Westminster and across British Columbia.”

The Russell Housing Centre is a designated heritage building that has been renovated to provide 40 single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel units and 15 shelter beds and will provide emergency shelter and social housing for adults at risk of homelessness in New Westminster. Through the amended Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are contributing $1.1 million for repairs and renovations to the 40 SRO units.

“This development makes a significant contribution to the City’s continuum of housing, enabling our locally homeless population to access quality shelter and support services. It also preserves an important piece of the City’s heritage,” said New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright.

Lookout Emergency Aid Society manages and operates the Russell Housing Centre. The Centre will be open 24 hours, 365 days a year, and will provide such basics as shelter, food and laundry, as well as support and assistance to men who are without a home. Tenants will receive life skills training on cooking and nutrition, budgeting and basic hygiene, gaining the necessary skills to move towards living independently.

“Helping people identify and plan around their challenges, linking them to needed services will help prevent them from becoming homeless again,” said Karen O’Shannacery, executive director of Lookout Emergency Aid Society. “Our long-standing partnership with the Province and BC Housing has played a pivotal role in the creation of many of Lookout’s supportive housing developments.”

The Housing Renovation Partnership is the result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. The Housing Renovation Partnership will provide $177 million for the renovation and retrofit of social housing. Under the terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments will provide matching contributions of $88.82 million. Overall, Canada’s Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the repair of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. It provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing, to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households.

The Province of British Columbia’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, helping to build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province and stimulating local economies across B.C.

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$22 M Supportive Housing Opens in Downtown Eastside

Posted by Moishe Alexander
People dealing with addictions, mental health and at risk of homelessness will have access to 92 units of supportive housing now open at the Lux in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, thanks to funding from federal, provincial and community partners.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in British Columbia and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “These new units provide more options for individuals in need of suitable, supportive housing, and are important to the economic and social well-being of the Vancouver Community.”

The federal government, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), provided a $4.75 million grant and the project as a whole also received financing in the form of a $2.86 million CMHC insured mortgage. The Province provided $12.88 million towards the capital costs through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative and will provide an ongoing operational subsidy.

“Over 90 people who don’t have homes and want to make positive changes in their lives will now have greater access to supportive housing, helping them forge a path towards long-term health and independence,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. “The opening of the Lux is part of our Government’s commitment to provide more supportive housing options to Downtown Eastside residents.”

The City of Vancouver provided the land, with a value of $885,000, as a no-charge 60-year lease and $1.05 million for the commercial units.

“The Lux demonstrates the positive outcomes from all levels of government uniting with community partners to help those most in need,” said Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson. “This is another step towards revitalizing the community in the Downtown Eastside and helping our city break the cycle of homelessness.”

Vancouver Coastal Health will provide annual operational funding to administer programs and support services to tenants, including life skills education and local health service guidance.

“Offering housing with a range of integrated supports gives people the resources they need to embark on a stable path, regaining control of their health and establishing greater self-reliance,” said Allyson Muir, Manager, Mental Health and Addictions Housing in Vancouver Community at Vancouver Coastal Health. “Partnerships between government and community are the cornerstones that help people most in need transition into a more independent living situation.”

RainCity Housing and Support Society manages and operates the Lux and provides innovative, outcome-oriented programs and services for people living with mental illness, addictions and other challenges.

“We believe in a home for every person and building upon the strengths of our community and each individual,” said RainCity Housing and Support Society representative. “Thanks to our great partnerships with all levels of government, we are able to further promote our mission and facilitate hope, opportunity and change for the most vulnerable people.”

The Province has committed to creating more than 4,000 new housing units under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. For the 2009/10 fiscal year, the Province’s budget for shelters and affordable housing is over $469 million — more than four times what it was in 2001.