Fifty-two people who have been homeless in Vernon are about to move into their new homes with around-the-clock supports, to help them regroup and improve their lives.
“A safe home is a critical foundation for recovery, while support services are the building blocks that give strength, purpose and hope so people experiencing homelessness can make a new start,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “The City of Vernon has shown leadership by leaning in to the challenges and working with us to help us build these life-changing homes for people.”
Located at 3500 27th Ave., the newly completed four-storey modular apartment building features 52 units, including three units designed for people with disabilities. Each unit is private with a washroom and kitchenette. The ground floor includes a commercial grade kitchen, common dining area, laundry facilities and support-service rooms. People will start moving into the new homes in mid-June 2019.
“Thank you to BC Housing, the Province and Turning Points Collaborative for coming together to fund and respond to an urgent need for housing in our community for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” said Victor Cumming, mayor, City of Vernon. “My Place will provide an additional 52 new, quality and affordable housing units.”
The Turning Points Collaborative Society will operate the building and provide residents with meal programs, life and employment skills training and access to health and wellness support services.
“Imagine that every member of our community has access to safe, quality, affordable housing,” said Randene Wejr, co-executive director, Turning Points Collaborative Society. “Thanks to the work of BC Housing, the City of Vernon and community stakeholders, this dream is becoming a reality through housing projects like My Place.”
B.C.-based manufacturer ATCO was selected by the Province to manufacture the modular units in Vernon and several other modular projects in B.C., supporting jobs and local economies.
More than 20,000 new homes are completed or underway throughout B.C as a result of provincial investments, including more than 2,600 new supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness in B.C.
Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.
Quick Facts:
- The Province invested $11 million for the building and will provide an annual operating subsidy.
- The Province is working in partnership to increase the supply of affordable rental housing throughout Vernon through the Building BC funds. Since 2018, this includes:
- Community Housing Fund: 78 mixed-income homes; and
- Rapid Response to Homelessness (modular housing): 98 homes with 24/7 support for people experiencing homelessness.
- Through the Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program, the Province is investing $291 million to build 2,000 homes around the province and providing annual operating funding to provide 24/7 staffing and support services. More than 1,300 are complete.
- The Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs throughout the province, which includes 1,400 direct jobs and another 650 jobs in supplier industries.
Learn More:
A map showing the location of all announced projects is now available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program: https://www.bchousing.org/partner-services/Building-BC/rapid-response-homelessness
For a map of the modular projects, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Building_BC_Rapid_Response_Homelessness_Map.pdf
To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges
Read Homes for B.C., government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf
Two backgrounders follow.