The Stanley/New Fountain shelter in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, received a funding extension of just over $1 million to remain open for another year while more supportive housing is built.

The 40-bed shelter was one of the HEAT shelters first opened in December 2008 to provide temporary accommodation for Vancouver's homeless during the winter months. In July 2009 the province extended funding to keep some of the HEAT shelters open year round and a second extension was given in April 2010 so that new supportive housing developments could be completed.

The Province is investing more than $300 million to build 1,570 new units of supportive housing through a partnership with the City of Vancouver who contributed 14 parcels of land. Four of the developments are now complete and accepting tenants, and ground has been broken on another four. Approximately 570 of the new apartments will be open by the end of 2011, with the rest opening over the next two years.

Shelters play an important role to help people break the cycle of homelessness, but the Province and the City agree the priority is building permanent, supportive housing.

Quick Facts:

• The Stanley New Fountain Shelter is located at 51B Cordova St in Vancouver and was scheduled to close on June 30, 2011.
• In addition to the three HEAT shelters, the Province provides annual funding of approximately $17 million for more than 650 year-round shelter beds in Vancouver.
• 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 the 10 years since 2001, the government has committed to creating nearly 21,400 new units of housing: 16,326 have been completed, 3,450 are in development or under construction and an additional 1,615 units have funding committed.

Learn More:

• To learn more about provincial housing programs and services, visit www.bchousing.org.

Contact:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445