VANCOUVER - People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver have a new place to call home, thanks to today’s official opening of a new 12-storey LEED Gold supportive housing complex at 1249 Howe St.

Managed and operated by the McLaren Housing Society, the building provides 110 units of supportive housing. The society provides 24/7 support staff, onsite workshops and life-skills programming to residents, such as money management, recreational and social activities and organized community dinners, cooking skills and food safety.

Residents also have access to shared amenities space, two outdoor gardens and a community kitchen.

The building is the 10th development to officially open under a partnership between the B.C. government and the City of Vancouver to build 14 new social housing developments on city-owned sites to help end homelessness in Vancouver.

Quick Facts: 

• The governments of Canada and British Columbia provided $891,000 in annual subsidy through the Federal-Provincial Housing initiative ─ www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/FPHi ─ under the Canada-B.C. Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 ─ 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 B.C. government arranged $20.3 million in long-term financing and $1 million for pre-development costs.
• The City of Vancouver provided the land valued at $5.9 million, reduced development cost charges valued at $315,000, and regional reduction levies valued at $85,000.
• Streetohome Foundation contributed $2.2 million to the project,  of which $1.1 million was donated by the 625 Powell Street Foundation and another $1 million was donated by BMO Financial Group. 

Quotes:

Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South — on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) -
“Having suitable, permanent housing makes a life-changing difference in the lives of those battling health issues and their families. These units will be more than just safe and affordable places to live, they will be the key to a better life for the residents who will call them home.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing -
“This project gives McLaren Housing Society the ability to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness rebuild their lives and stabilize their health. It takes strong and committed partnerships like the ones we have with the Government of Canada, the City of Vancouver and Streetohome Foundation to make a real difference in the lives of those who need our help the most.”

Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver -
“The opening of 1249 Howe St. is a strong demonstration of the kind of partnerships we need to end street homelessness in Vancouver. With 110 units of urgently-needed new supportive housing, this project represents a significant milestone in our work together to help provide the services, support, and homes that are necessary to assist vulnerable residents in leading safer and healthier lives.”

Rob Turnbull, president and CEO, Streetohome Foundation -
“The creation of safe, supportive housing is a positive first step in breaking the cycle of homelessness in Vancouver. Streetohome Foundation is pleased to partner with the three levels of government to ensure the right services and supports are in place for those who are homeless in our community.”

Michael Hoche, president, McLaren Housing Society -
“The 1249 Howe St. development helps us effectively address the rising need for safe, affordable housing and support services for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS in Vancouver. We are thankful to all levels of government along with Streetohome Foundation and our many community partners for their partnership to help make this building a reality.”

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 $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 102,000 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 Vancouver households. To find out more, visit: 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 McLaren Housing Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing for individuals in need who live with HIV/AIDS. For more information, please visit: www.mclarenhousing.com

Stay Connected:

• Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca (twitter.com)
• Follow BC Housing on Twitter @BC_Housing (twitter.com)

Media Contacts:

Rajvir Rao
BC Housing
604 439-8583

Sonia Fecteau
CMHC
604 737-4072

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