The Province and the City of Coquitlam have reiterated their commitment to develop a new emergency shelter for people who are homeless in the Tri-Cities.

The proposed supportive housing development, located at 3030 Gordon Ave., will have up to 30 emergency shelter beds in addition to transitional studio apartments. The Province will provide funds to help construct and operate the shelter and the City will contribute the land. Funding requirements for the new building will be finalized in the coming months, after an operator is selected.

Supportive housing has been used as a model throughout the province to successfully permanently house people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. Examples of support services that may be offered include addiction counselling, crisis response and employment or life skills training.

A request for proposals to identify a non-profit housing operator for the development, closed Oct. 3, 2011 and a successful proponent is expected to be announced by the end of 2011. At that time, all partners will work together to fully develop the plan for construction and services to be offered at the facility.

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• This year, more than 95,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• In Coquitlam, the government will invest approximately $9.6 million this year to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 2,000 low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• More than 50 per cent of homeless people in the Tri-Cities are unsheltered according to the 2011 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count.

Learn More:

• To learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness, visit: www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/PHI
• To learn more about the 3030 Gordon development, please visit: www.coquitlam.ca/3030gordonavenue

Media Contact:

Kathleen Vincent
BC Housing
604 456-8852