Following several discussions with community members, service providers, and Maple Ridge MLAs Marc Dalton and Doug Bing, the B.C. government has presented a four-point plan to the City of Maple Ridge to help address homelessness in the community.

• The Province will not be moving forward with the site at 21375 Lougheed Highway, as it has been deemed not suitable for a permanent-supportive housing facility. Discussions will take place with the city on alternate uses for the site, such as affordable housing for seniors or families.
• The closure of the temporary shelter at 22239 Lougheed Highway is a priority. Clients will be relocated once an appropriate location is identified.
• The B.C. government will work with RainCity Housing to implement immediate improvements to the operation of the temporary shelter.
• MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Doug Bing and MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission Marc Dalton will host a community meeting in late January to hear from Maple Ridge residents on a number of issues, including appropriate locations for both the temporary and long-term supportive housing facilities.

The B.C. government will continue to work closely with the city to ensure people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have access to safe and secure place to stay.

Quotes:

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

“MLAs Marc Dalton and Doug Bing have been instrumental in ensuring alternatives were pursued to the proposed site at 21375 Lougheed Highway. Our goal is to reach a solution that benefits everyone and provides opportunities and assistance to those who need our help.”

Doug Bing, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows –

“Throughout this process, we have been grateful to the community for bringing their concerns to our attention, and have worked hard to represent these concerns to the ministry. I’m glad to see that a decision has been reached that will allow us to move forward with an alternative option that will be in the best interests of all Maple Ridge residents.”

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission –

“We welcome this development in response to the concerns we presented on behalf of our constituents. I look forward to hearing more from our community regarding the path forward and will continue to work hard to represent the interests of Maple Ridge.”

Quick Facts:

• The B.C. government has committed $855 million this year to support the construction of 5,000 units of affordable rental housing throughout B.C.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested $4.9 billion to provide affordable housing for low income individuals, seniors and families.
• More than 104,000 B.C. households benefit from a range of provincial housing programs and services.
• Last year, the B.C. government invested more than to $7.4 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for over 1,200 households in Maple Ridge.

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