St. James Community Service Society, a non-profit housing provider celebrating 50 years of service within the Downtown Eastside and across Vancouver, has been selected to develop, manage and operate an innovative project.

The project involves creating 95 units of affordable housing at the former Remand Centre site at 211 Gore Ave. in Vancouver. The society was selected as the result of a Request for Proposal call issued in June.

Quotes:

Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver -

"We have made positive progress towards the goal of ending street homelessness by 2015, and innovative housing developments like this one are helping us meet the critical needs of our most vulnerable citizens."

"The affordable housing at Gore Avenue will provide residents with the support and skills training to create a better future for themselves and the community."

Jonathan Oldman, executive director, St. James Community Service Society -

"As our society celebrates its 50th anniversary, we're particularly conscious of how our history is intertwined with that of the local neighbourhood around this development, where the organization was originally founded."

"Working together with the Province, the City of Vancouver and our other partners, we look forward to adding the Gore Avenue development to our range of housing options, serving the people who will live there and helping build a stronger, more vibrant local community."

Quick Facts:

• St. James Community Service Society was formed 50 years ago with the mandate of strengthening communities by providing vital support to Vancouver's most vulnerable citizens. The organization delivers services that enable people with complex needs to live their lives as fully as possible, on their own terms: those who face homelessness, poverty and isolation, mental illness, addictions and terminal illness.
• The existing seven-storey building currently accommodates various offices on the basement and ground floors, including the Downtown Community Court that will remain in the building. Program and residential floors will encompass six storeys and will be located on floors two through seven.
• The first two residential floors, encompassing approximately 37 units, have been designated for supported housing through the BladeRunners program. BladeRunners provides ongoing support, job readiness skills, work place training and ongoing support to enable individuals to overcome barriers to employment and achieve long-term attachment to the workforce.
• These apartments are funded in part by the Province in order to preserve affordable housing for those who need it most in the Vancouver downtown core.
• The development is expected to be completed by mid-2013.

Learn More:

About provincial housing programs: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives

To read how the provincial housing strategy is helping British Columbians, visit:

http://www.bchousing.org/Media/Stories

Further information about the work and history of the St. James Community Service Society can be found at: www.sjcss.com

Media Contact:

Communications
Minister Responsible for Housing
250 952-0617