The B.C. government is providing $270,000 to allow the 40-bed temporary shelter in Maple Ridge to remain open until the end of June 2016.

The three month extension will ensure that vulnerable individuals continue to have access to a warm, safe place to stay, while permanent housing solutions are being arranged.

To this end, the Province has made an offer to purchase the Quality Inn for approximately $5.5 million. The building will provide 61 units of long-term supportive housing for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including people currently at the temporary shelter.

The purchase will be finalized in early May. BC Housing will hold a public meeting later this month, prior to the close of the sale, for local residents who have questions about the project. Details will be made available as soon as possible.

Located at 21735 Lougheed Highway, the building is expected to open in June, following renovations.

Quote:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing –

“We have put in place a long-term housing solution in Maple Ridge that will address the immediate need for new affordable housing for 61 men and women in the community. This will allow us to get them off the street and connect them with services that can help to stabilize their lives.”

Quick Facts:

• This year, more than 102,500 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• The Province provided more than $5 million last year to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 1,100 households in Maple Ridge.
• In 2015, close to 170 homeless people in Maple Ridge were housed through rent supplements and shelter services.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low income individuals, seniors and families.

Learn More:

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