A new centre to help individuals at risk of homelessness with mental health and addiction issues is now under construction in Surrey.

Quibble Creek Health and Phoenix Transition Housing Centre is a partnership between the Province, the City of Surrey and Fraser Health Authority that will contain 52 supportive housing units and 15 short-term transitional recovery beds. The building will also include Fraser Health's Recovery and Assessment Centre, with 25 beds for men and women requiring 24-hour recovery and assessment services, and a primary care, substance use and mental health clinic.

The Recovery and Assessment Centre will be a safe, sheltered environment to assist individuals recovering from acute intoxication. An interdisciplinary team of professionals including nurses, substance use support workers and outreach workers will care for clients and connect them with the network of mental health and substance use services available.

Clients at the primary care, substance use and mental health clinic will receive care and treatment for medical, substance use and mental health issues. The team of health-care professionals will include physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, clinical counsellors and social workers. Staff will also provide health information and education as well as some services on an outreach basis.

Funding for the centre is being provided by:

• The Province through a $15-million grant and $620,000 in annual operating funding for the housing component.
• Fraser Health, through a $200,000 grant and annualized operational funding for the Recovery and Assessment Centre and the Primary Care, Substance Use and Mental Health Clinic.
• The City of Surrey provided the land and will waive all municipal fees and charges associated with the development which totals a contribution of approximately $2 million.

The four-storey development, located at 13670 94A Ave. in Surrey, will be designed to LEED Gold standards and operated by Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society (Phoenix Society). Construction is expected to be complete by spring 2012.

Quotes:

Lois Dixon, Executive Director of Mental Health and Substance Use, Fraser Health -

"In Fraser Health we have been shifting how we reach out and support those who are homeless and affected by mental health and substance use issues, offering services in settings that best meet their needs. Incorporating the Recovery and Assessment Centre and the Primary Care, Substance Use and Mental Health Clinic at this new development will ensure that the right kinds of treatment and supports are available for clients in an environment where individuals can be supported in shaping their own recoveries."

Michael Wilson, Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society -

"The Phoenix Society's mission is to create a therapeutic community, which provides clients with personal, social and psychological supports at every step of their recovery process. The new building will provide an array of additional supports and opportunities for our society to better meet the needs of the population we serve. The planning process to bring this development to construction has been years in the making and I would like to thank the Province, the City of Surrey, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Fraser Health for the resources and support provided for our current Phoenix Centre and the new Quibble Creek Health and Phoenix Transition Housing Centre."

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families in communities across the province. This year, more than 93,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• In Surrey, the provincial government will invest more than $31 million this year to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 7,100 low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• Quibble Creek is part of an agreement between the Province and the City of Surrey to build 103 units of new supportive housing on two sites. The second is Alder Gardens, at 13788 71st Avenue in Surrey, which will have 36 units of supportive long-term housing for women and their children who are at risk of homelessness.
• Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society have worked to encourage and assist British Columbians in achieving personal, family and community health free from substance misuse, since 1989. The society's vision of services is guided by a whole person/whole systems perspective on health and well-being that integrates health, social and economic perspectives on the issues of addiction and homelessness. The Phoenix Society also operates The Phoenix Centre.

Learn More:

• To learn more about the mental health and substance use services offered through Fraser Heath, please visit: http://www.fraserhealth.ca/your_care/mental_health_and_substance_use/mental_health_services/
• To learn more about programs and services offer by the Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society, please visit: http://www.phoenixsociety.com
• For information on provincial housing programs: www.bchousing.org

Contacts:

Rhonda Nguyen
Communications Specialist
BC Housing
604 439-4740
604 374-8301

Tara Foslien
City of Surrey
604 375-4584