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The British Columbia government has committed $1.6 million to provide nine support recovery units for individuals suffering from mental-health and substance-use issues in Squamish.
The Province is providing the funding to Turning Point to purchase and renovate a house in the community (address confidential).
The investment comes as part of the new Mental Health Housing program, announced earlier in 2017, in which the Province committed $50 million in 2016-17 toward acquisitions and $15 million in 2017-18 toward renovations to create 364 units of housing for people with mental-health or substance-use challenges.
With this investment, the Province has committed a total of $920 million to support the acquisition, construction and renovation of almost 5,300 housing units throughout B.C.
Quotes:
Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky –
“Providing supportive housing in Squamish for those living with mental-health and substance-abuse issues is an important enhancement to community resources. I am pleased that Turning Point and BC Housing are ready to bring these needed housing units to reality in the Sea to Sky. This is all part of the B.C. government plan to support the health care and housing needs of residents at risk.”
Brenda Plant, executive director, Turning Point –
“This is an exciting opportunity both for us and Squamish. The purchase will provide much needed housing and supports for individuals struggling with mental health and/or drug and alcohol addiction. Currently, Squamish residents who need publically funded support are required to come down to the Lower Mainland to access our 90-120 day programs and services.”
Quick Facts:
- Since 2001, the B.C. government 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.
- More than 104,000 B.C. households benefit from a diverse range of provincial housing programs and services.
- Since 2001, the Province has completed close to 24,000 new units of affordable housing.
Learn More:
To learn more about the Province's actions on housing affordability, visit: http://housingaffordability.gov.bc.ca/
Factsheet on mental-health services and supports in B.C.:
To view the new mental-health digital hub, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/mentalhealth
