The B.C. government announced $15 million today for a new transitional housing and shelter project in Surrey for men and women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Located at 14150 Green Timbers Way, the new development will provide 50 transitional beds and 50 shelter beds and operate as a minimal barrier shelter.

Shelter services in Surrey have previously proven to be a successful method of transitioning guests into long-term housing options. The Green Timbers development will provide more options to vulnerable people in Surrey, where the number of encampments in the Whalley area has grown over the past months.

Construction on the shelter, which will be across the street from the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, is anticipated to start around February 2018 and be completed in April 2020.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood –

“The Green Timbers development is another example of how a well-planned partnership between local and provincial governments can deliver a project that will make a significant impact in the community.”

Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale –

“Our government’s sound housing strategy has formed the basis for this project. Once complete, Green Timbers will be another refuge for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and a beacon of hope for the Surrey community.”

Mayor Linda Hepner, City of Surrey –

“This funding announcement is welcome news for Surrey as the shelter will provide another safe, warm and dry place to stay for our most vulnerable citizens. Green Timbers will offer not just a calm sanctuary, but also access to support services that will help them transition into more permanent, long-term housing.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested or committed to a total of $6.3 billion to provide affordable housing supply and access for low income individuals, seniors, and families.
• This includes new investment commitments of $920 million to support the acquisition, construction, and renovation of almost 5,300 housing units across B.C. over the next few years.
• Last year, the Province contributed more than $47.8 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 8,000 households in Surrey. This includes more than $13.2 million for emergency shelters and housing for those who are homeless.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Province's actions on housing affordability, visit: http://housingaction.gov.bc.ca/

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: @BC_Housing (twitter.com)