The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, officially opened Pacific Coast Apartments today, a new 96-unit supportive housing development for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver.

"Our government is proud to have been a partner in the development of this project, one that will have a lasting impact on this community," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Minister Responsible for British Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "The opening of Pacific Coast Apartments means that more individuals at risk of homelessness will have a safe, supportive place to live, as well as the help they need to begin a new chapter in their lives."

"Pacific Coast Apartments residents are connected with supports and specialized services to help them stay safe and create better opportunities for themselves," said Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing. "This is the fourth of 14 new supportive housing developments that we are opening in Vancouver. Already, they are having a noticeable impact in the community, by helping to reduce homelessness and making a positive difference in the lives of the people who call them home."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Initiative, the federal government contributed approximately $5.5 million to support the construction of Pacific Coast Apartments.

The Province of British Columbia provided $12.6 million in capital funding, and will provide $1.2 million in annual operating funding. The City of Vancouver provided the land, valued at $1.95 million, and waived development fees in the amount of $331,500.

"Providing supportive housing for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, is a critical step towards addressing the needs of our most vulnerable citizens in Vancouver," said Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver. "Pacific Coast Apartments will help ensure that some of our most vulnerable citizens in our city will have appropriate support and a more stable environment in which to live."

The building, managed and operated by Coast Mental Health, is a small-suite demonstration site. Apartments are up to 25 per cent smaller than typical studio suites. The 21-to-37-square-metre (225-to-400-square-foot) apartments allow for more apartments within the building than standard-suite sizes would normally accommodate.

"For 40 years, Coast Mental Health has been leading the way in assisting people with mental illness and other life challenges realize their potential through housing and community supports," said Darrell Burnham, executive director, Coast Mental Health. "Pacific Coast Apartments exemplifies our mission and we are thankful to all of the partners who made this project possible."

The Canada-British Columbia Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014, signed in July 2011, confirms the remaining three years of B.C.'s five-year allocation of the Government of Canada's 2008 commitment of more than $1.9 billion to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. This means a further $90 million in federal funding for British Columbians in housing need. With matching provincial contributions of $90 million, a total combined investment of $180 million helps to support affordable housing programs for B.C. residents.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In British Columbia, this represents some 71,000 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc.ca

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. To learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness, visit: www.bchousing.org.

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Jeanette Wilkinson
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4025

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789
604 417-5791

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
604 871-6336
media@vancouver.ca Marian Ngo

Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482

BACKGROUNDER

April 27, 2012 Ministry of Energy and Mines

and Minister Responsible for Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation,

City of Vancouver

Pacific Coast Apartments

Pacific Coast Apartments, located at 337 West Pender Street in Vancouver, is a new building providing 96 supportive housing apartments. The nine-storey building includes apartments dedicated to specific client groups, including women and youth.

The apartments in this small suite demonstration site are up to 25 per cent smaller than typical studio apartments allowing for more apartments within the building.

Forty-six apartments are 21 to 22 square metres (225 to 240 square feet), 29 apartments are 23 to28 square metres (250 to 300 square feet) and 21 apartments are 28 to 37 square metres (300 to 400 square feet).

The common amenity space in the building is greatly enhanced in order to give residents places to socialize as well as room for support services and programs. Pacific Coast Apartments includes ground floor retail space, common amenity space, multipurpose rooms for meetings, common kitchen facilities and a dining room as well as amenity space designated specifically for youth and women.

This development has been designed to LEED Gold standard, and will be managed and operated by Coast Mental Health.

Coast Mental Health support staff work with residents to develop an individualized support plan and provide necessary support to ensure that goals are met. Program staff work with residents on life-skills development through a variety of approaches and interventions and facilitate opportunities for residents to engage in educational opportunities, volunteer work and social enterprise employment.

The building is the fourth of 14 new supportive housing developments, being built through a partnership between the Province and the City of Vancouver, to officially open. The federal government provided support for four of the projects that will create more than 1,500 new supportive housing units in the city. More than half of the projects are either under construction or complete.

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost of this project is approximately $20.3 million.

• Through an amendment to the Can-BC Affordable Housing Initiative, the Government of Canada provided $5,486,400.
• The Province of British Columbia invested $12,559,425.
• The City of Vancouver provided the land valued at $1,950,000 and waived development fees in the amount of $331,500.

Operational Funding:

• The Province will provide an annual operational subsidy of $1,176,433.

Coast Mental Health was created in 1972 in response to the growing need for services in the community for people recovering from a serious mental illness. Since its inception Coast has not only focused on services but has also placed emphasis on participants being members of Coast who have a role in determining priorities and how services are provided. Coast's mission adopts the concept of community as the foundation of what Coast does.

Media Contacts:

Jeanette Wilkinson
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4025

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789
604 417-5791

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
604 871-6336
media@vancouver.ca Marian Ngo

Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482