Kettle on Burrard, a new 16-storey supportive housing building, officially opened its doors to the community today, creating 140 self-contained studio units for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver.

The building is the eighth development to officially open under a partnership between the B.C. government and the City of Vancouver. Residents will have access to shared amenities space, common dining and recreational facilities, bicycle storage and a laundry room.

The building is also home to Directions Youth Services Centre, which serves homeless and at-risk youth between the ages of 13 and 24 years. Open 24 hours a day, the centre provides a wide range of supports and services ranging from education and job skills programs, to mental health and addictions support.

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The housing component of the building is managed by the Kettle Society and the youth centre is operated by Family Services of Greater Vancouver.

Project partners and funding include:

• The B.C. government arranged approximately $25.6 million in long-term financing, $1 million for pre-development costs and over $5.7 million through the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
• The City of Vancouver provided approximately $686,000 in municipal reductions and the land valued at approximately $4.7 million.
• Streetohome Foundation provided over $2.8 million.

Quotes:

Jane Thornthwaite, Parliamentary Secretary for Child Mental Health and Anti-Bullying for the Minister of Children and Family Development -

“With Kettle on Burrard, 140 units of supportive housing are now available to this community, which is a very significant contribution in the fight to end homelessness in Vancouver. I am especially proud of the vital work done at Directions Youth Services Centre. In their work with at-risk youth, they have real opportunities to break the cycle of homelessness.”

Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver -

“With 140 units of urgently needed new supportive housing and the crucial programming of the Directions Youth Services Centre, the opening of Kettle on Burrard is an important milestone in our work together to end street homelessness in Vancouver. This new building will help many of our city’s most vulnerable residents transition to safer, healthier, and more hopeful lives, especially homeless or at-risk youth.”

Rob Turnbull, president and CEO, Streetohome Foundation -

“Streetohome Foundation is proud to work with the Government of B.C. and the City of Vancouver to help bring projects like Kettle on Burrard to fruition. With this new building, vulnerable residents living in our great city now have increased access to safe and affordable housing with the supports they need.”

Nancy Keough, executive director, The Kettle Society -

“We are thrilled to be able to provide crucial housing and support services to people that need it the most with this beautiful new building. Kettle on Burrard is already beginning to make an enormous impact on the people who live here. We are giving tenants the tools they need to rebuild their lives, and it’s immensely gratifying being a part of this process.”

Caroline Bonesky, CEO, Family Services of Greater Vancouver -

“At Kettle on Burrard, we are perfectly positioned to provide support and guidance to at-risk youth. Directions Youth Services Centre works with these young people to identify what they need to do to achieve their goals and realize their full potential. Family Services of Greater Vancouver would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their continued support.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• This year, nearly 100,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• Last year, the B.C. government invested over $112 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 26,000 households in Vancouver.

Learn More:

For more information on provincial affordable housing programs and efforts to end homelessness in B.C., please visit: www.housingmattersbc.ca/factsheets.html and www.bchousing.org

Streetohome Foundation is working to ensure that vulnerable citizens in Vancouver have access to safe, affordable, supportive housing. They bring together business, government, service providers, and community leaders to build resources and develop lasting solutions to homelessness. Their long-term work is guided by a 10-year plan that will help people break out of the cycle of homelessness, and also prevent people from falling into it. For more information, visit: www.streetohome.org

The Kettle Society supports people living with mental illness to lead healthier lives. The Kettle provides 4,000 individuals with 26 services, a year-round mental-health drop-in centre, a women’s transition house and over 400 units of supported housing throughout Vancouver. For more information, visit: www.thekettle.ca

Family Services of Greater Vancouver is a community-based not-for-profit organization providing social services to children, youth, adults, and families across the Lower Mainland. For more information, visit: www.fsgv.ca

Follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC_Housing (twitter.com)

Media Contacts:

Elaine McKay
BC Housing
778 452-6476

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