The Province, through BC Housing, has purchased the former Canada’s Best Value Inn in Langley to provide nearly 50 homes with supports for people experiencing homelessness in the community.

“With this purchase, we can improve the lives of people living in the streets and parks of Langley while making the whole community more livable and sustainable,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “We will continue to explore opportunities like this across the province that provide vulnerable people with a stable foundation for a better, dignified life.”

Located at 6722 Glover Rd., the hotel has 46 units. Since April 2020, BC Housing has been leasing the hotel as temporary housing for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic. By purchasing the hotel, the residents will be able to remain in the building. The Province intends to retain the site as social housing and will apply for rezoning to transition these spaces into permanent supportive housing. In the meantime, the site will continue to operate as temporary housing.

Lookout Housing and Health Society, which has managed the site since April, will continue to operate the facility. The society will provide residents with support services, including daily meals, life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental health resources, and access to addiction treatment and recovery services. Staffing 24/7 will provide around-the-clock support to residents.

The society has set up a community advisory committee to oversee the supportive housing’s integration within the community and to address any questions raised by people in the neighbourhood.

This purchase is part of the Province’s ongoing actions to provide housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and build upon the 180 supportive homes that are completed or underway in Langley.

Quotes:

Shayne Williams, CEO, Lookout Housing and Health Society –

“Lookout society is pleased to be partnering with BC Housing to maintain and enhance the continuum of care for individuals experiencing homelessness in Langley. We are excited to continue providing comprehensive wraparound supports to all guests staying at the Canada’s Best Value Inn.”

Andrew Mercier, MLA for Langley –

“The purchase of this property allows us to continue to provide safe and secure homes to the most vulnerable people in our community. Our government is taking urgent action to create homes like these because when people have housing and supports, it’s good for everyone in the community.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province is investing $10.1 million to purchase the former Canada’s Best Value Inn in Langley through the Supportive Housing Fund.
• An independent appraisal of the site was completed on Feb. 10, 2021. The appraisal took into account the existing market value of the property and valued the building and land at $9.4 million.
• The Province paid $9.4 million for the property, as well as about $700,000 in taxes and closing fees.
• BC Housing will provide an annual operating subsidy of approximately $1.4 million.

Learn More:

More information about BC Housing’s plans for this site is available online:
https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/langley-6722-glover (can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com)

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online:
https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit:
https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/