People in need of a safe, warm place to stay, especially during the cold and wet winter months, will soon have access to a new 40-bed shelter in Surrey.

Building renovations are complete for the new Guildford shelter, which will open on Feb. 14, 2017. The shelter will be open until March 2018 and provide three meals a day.

The two-storey building features a full commercial kitchen, dining area and six rooms designed for couples. Additionally, there’s a women’s area downstairs and a men’s area upstairs.

The B.C. government is providing $80,000 a month for operating costs, as well as $25,000 in one-time start-up costs for building renovations. The City of Surrey partnered with the Province to purchase and operate the shelter.

The Guildford shelter mirrors the Boulevard shelter that opened in Dec. 2015. The Boulevard shelter began as a winter shelter, but is now running year round, housing 40 people who would otherwise be homeless. Since Feb. 2016, more than 135 people have been transitioned from the shelter to long-term housing.

With the addition of Guildford shelter there are now 230 shelter spaces open nightly in Surrey for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Located at 14717 104th Ave., the shelter will be operated by Lookout Emergency Aid Society.

Quotes:

Amrik Virk, MLA for Surrey-Tynehead –

“The Province recognized the need to provide additional shelter spaces in the community to ensure everyone has access to safe, warm place to stay. We will continue to work with local governments, non-profit organizations and service providers to meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Marvin Hunt, MLA for Surrey-Panorama –

“We need to support our friends and neighbours, including those who are less visible because they live on our streets.  With help from Lookout Emergency Aid Society, the City of Surrey is able to provide another 40 beds to assist the homeless, ensuring that everyone can access safe and warm accommodations during these cold and snowy months.”

Mayor Linda Hepner, City of Surrey –

“The City of Surrey is pleased to partner with BC Housing to provide a low-barrier shelter that offers a safe and secure environment for street-entrenched homeless men and women. Along with offering a safe place to sleep, staff will work to connect those using the shelter to support services with the express goal of helping them transition to more permanent housing.”

Shayne Williams, executive director, Lookout Emergency Aid Society –

“There is a very real need for additional housing and health solutions for vulnerable people living in Surrey. The Guildford Shelter will increase our ability to connect people with the support and resources they need to stabilize – and ultimately provide safe, secure and affordable housing. None of this work would be possible without the tremendous support we receive from our partners at BC Housing and the City of Surrey.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government 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 Provincial social housing programs and services.
• Last year, the Province invested more than $47.8 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for almost 8,000 households in Surrey.

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

Follow BC Housing on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BC_Housing