The Province is working with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health to build approximately 100 affordable rental homes, as well as a new withdrawal management centre for people seeking treatment for addictions.

“Addressing both the urgent housing needs of British Columbians and the health needs of people living with addiction issues requires new partnerships and a new approach,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This model of creating a mixed-use development means we’re able to provide homes for the people who need it most, while also reaching out to the larger community with essential addictions services, resulting in long-term and comprehensive solutions for people in Vancouver.”

A new evidence-based withdrawal management centre within the planned complex will replace Vancouver Coastal Health’s current withdrawal management services facility on East 2nd Ave. It will include a range of enhanced services such as inpatient and outpatient withdrawal management, and sobering and at-home withdrawal management, which are trauma-informed and culturally appropriate.

Approximately 20 new spaces of short-term transitional housing are also included in the plans for people who have completed detox, so they can continue receiving access to supports and health services while they transition into longer-term housing and treatment for substance use.

“It’s exciting to see this forward-thinking plan for delivering addiction treatment services to those in need, while also providing affordable and transitional housing,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “We recognize the social factors, like poverty and housing, contribute to mental health and addictions, and are critical to a person’s pathway to hope and recovery. I expect this centre will make a difference in many people’s lives. ”

The proposed mixed-use redevelopment, located at 1636 Clark Dr. and 1321–1395 East 1st Ave., is a collaborative response to the housing crisis and the health-care needs of the community. It will serve low-to moderate-income people, and include a social enterprise space for local residents, focusing on Indigenous healing and wellness through employment and alignment with culturally informed treatment.

“The city is a proud partner for this innovative project that combines urgently needed, affordable housing with new addictions support services for our most vulnerable residents. This is yet another example of how we are helping people with the greatest needs,” said Gregor Robertson, mayor of Vancouver. “Whether it’s the 600 new modular homes for the homeless, hundreds of affordable homes for low-income residents at 58 W. Hastings, and now this major project at 1st and Clark, we are making significant headway on helping Vancouver residents rebuild their lives through affordable-housing options and addiction treatment support.”

The Province, Vancouver Coastal Health and the City of Vancouver will work with the surrounding community to share project details on an ongoing basis. The city will also work with existing tenants on site to ensure appropriate relocation that meets their individual needs. The proposed project is subject to a rezoning approval by Vancouver city council and a development permit approval process.

Quotes:

Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, MLA Vancouver-Mount Pleasant –

“It’s good to see projects like these that serve a range of needs being planned in Vancouver. It’s through strong partnerships that our government will begin to make real progress in a city that has been struggling with an affordability and addiction crisis for far too long. The trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services that will be available mean that we are providing care that respects and integrates people’s cultural values and practices, while treating people with compassion.”

Laura Case, COO, Vancouver Community, Vancouver Coastal Health –

“The human cost of addictions is great, but this is something we can do to help more people struggling with substance use disorders to get connected to services that will help them on their road to recovery. This future development offers a significant opportunity for Vancouver Coastal Health to create greater capacity for and access to withdrawal management and other treatment services at one location.”

Kevin Barlow, CEO, Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council –

“Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council supports this innovative work that will allow for new income-generating opportunities, while promoting healing and wellness. Our organization is looking forward to assisting non-profits to take full advantage of this space.”

Quick Facts:

• The Government of B.C. is investing approximately $20 million in the project.
• The City of Vancouver is providing land for the proposed project, valued at approximately $15 million.
• The withdrawal management centre will feature academic teaching and research, and provide a learning hub to support staff development, knowledge transfer, and sharing of best practice in withdrawal management and substance use treatment.
• Rezoning of the land and design of the facility is anticipated to take approximately one year, with construction anticipated to take between three and four years.
• The Province is developing a comprehensive provincial housing strategy to make housing more affordable for British Columbians.
• The B.C. government has set a target to build, in partnership, 114,000 new units of affordable housing throughout B.C.

Learn More:

More information about the proposed project can be found here: https://www.bchousing.org/1st-clark

To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, please visit: www.news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges