The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, celebrated the construction progress of a new supportive housing development in Coquitlam today.

The four-storey housing project, located at 3030 Gordon Ave., will create 30 self-contained transitional studio units and 30 permanent shelter beds for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The building also will have room to accommodate 30 extreme-weather beds to provide additional shelter during the winter months.

Residents will have access to a number of onsite services including 24/7 staff support, learning space for counselling and skill development programs, a commercial-grade kitchen, dining area, storage space and laundry facilities. Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2015.

Quick facts:

• The Governments of Canada and B.C. will provide a combined investment of approximately $12.9 million through the Federal-Provincial Housing initiative − www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/FPHi − under the Canada-B.C. Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-14 − www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2011/2011-07-04-0930.cfm - which was extended until 2019 - www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2014/2014-03-04-1530.cfm
• The City of Coquitlam provided the land valued at $405,000.
• RainCity Housing and Support Society will manage and operate the development.

Quotes:

The Honourable James Moore, Minister Responsible for British Columbia and Member of Parliament for Port Moody - Westwood - Port Coquitlam — on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) -

“Our Government understands the importance of access to quality affordable housing for our most vulnerable citizens. We are pleased to have worked with our partners to build a facility that will not only provide residents with a safe place to call home, but will also deliver important services that will increase residents’ economic opportunities and help transform their lives.”

Douglas Horne, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain -

“We recognized the need for a facility like this in the community and I look forward to seeing the positive difference it will make for those in need. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure vulnerable citizens in our community have the supports they need to move off the streets permanently.”

Mayor Richard Stewart, City of Coquitlam -

“As one of the fastest-growing communities in B.C., Coquitlam is committed to ensuring that supports are put in place for some of our most vulnerable residents. With construction now underway at 3030 Gordon, we are one step closer to the first permanent homeless shelter and much-needed transitional housing for the Tri-Cities.”

Greg Richmond, acting executive director, RainCity Housing and Support Society -

“RainCity Housing is committed to delivering progressive housing solutions with care and support for vulnerable individuals in the Tri-Cities. As the future operator of the 3030 Gordon, we are excited to be involved with this project and look forward to partnering with the service providers and passionate volunteers in this vibrant community.”

Associated links:

• Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), invests approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve 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. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
• 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 $3.3 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 2,200 Coquitlam households. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org
• Established in 1982, RainCity Housing and Support Society is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides progressive housing and support solutions for vulnerable individuals across the Lower Mainland. RainCity Housing is a leader in finding workable, cost-effective solutions that ultimately benefit everyone in the community. For more information, visit: www.raincityhousing.org

Stay connected:

• Follow CMHC on Twitter: @CMHC_ca (twitter.com)
• Follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC_Housing (twitter.com)
• Follow the City of Coquitlam on Twitter: @cityofcoquitlam (twitter.com)

Media Contacts:

Elaine McKay
BC Housing
778 452-6476

Jeanette Wilkinson
CMHC
604 360-7793

Kathleen Vincent
City of Coquitlam
604 927-3019

Bill Briscall
RainCity Housing and Support Society
604 671-2169