BC Gov News

Simon Yu, mayor, Prince George –

“The City of Prince George is committed to supporting our most vulnerable citizens and ensuring they have access to the resources they need to lead healthier, more stable lives. These new supportive homes and complex-care units represent a significant step forward in addressing homelessness and providing critical care for those with complex needs. We are pleased to see the next phase of the 1st Avenue project beginning and we are also glad to see BC Housing purchasing more property in the area to deliver more homes to those in need.”  

Colleen Nyce, board chair, Northern Health –

“Supportive housing for those struggling with homelessness or those with complex-care needs is a critical aspect of healing and recovery. We are proud to be a partner in this work, which will make a real difference in the lives of those living in Prince George.”

Mark Miller, CEO, Connective –

“Over the past two years, Connective has been honoured to provide supportive homes for 50 people at 160 Ontario St. We look forward to expanding this project and meeting the needs of an additional 41 community members experiencing homelessness. Having already seen the benefits of complex-care housing at the current location, we are eager to continue working alongside our partners at Northern Health on the 10 additional units of housing, with supports for this vulnerable population.”  

Ross Chilton, CEO, Community Living BC –

“This housing will provide individuals with developmental disabilities and complex-care needs with the opportunity to have their own home with specialized support delivered directly to them. We are pleased to be part of this important partnership, which has the potential to transform many lives in the community.”

Barb Ward Burkitt, executive director, Prince George Native Friendship Centre –

“The Reconnect Youth Village will nurture the spirit and strength of our youth, honouring their culture and heritage, and guiding them toward a future where they can thrive with pride and purpose. Youth, families, staff and community will come together in the spirit of knowledge sharing, friendship and kinship leading to the safety and wellness of young people living in and around Prince George.”

Updated on Aug.12, 2024

1st Avenue and 140/150 Ontario St.:

• Through a partnership between the Province, through BC Housing, Northern Health and the City of Prince George, this project will deliver 41 supportive homes and 10 complex-care housing (CCH) units.
• The CCH units will provide enhanced services to support adults with complex health, mental-health and/or addiction issues.
• The ground floor of the building at 140 Ontario St. will house an approximately 836 square-metre (9,000 square-foot) health clinic, which will provide tenants and the public with various services to address their health concerns.
• Connective, the operator of the existing 50-unit supportive housing project at 160 Ontario St., will manage the new supportive homes.
• Northern Health will provide health services to the complex-care units and operate the health clinic.
• The Province, through BC Housing, is providing approximately $16.9 million for the purchase and construction of the building through the Supportive Housing Fund and an additional $4.5-million Complex Care Housing grant.  
• The City of Prince George provided the land for the project.
• Construction started in July 2024 and is expected to be complete in 2026. 

1575 Queensway Ave.:

• Renovations to the building will commence in fall 2024 to provide 40 supportive homes for youth ages 14-18 and young people aging out of care, up to age 27, in Prince George.
• The building will provide studio, one- and two-bedroom units.
• Tenanting is expected to begin in spring 2025.
• BC Housing will relocate the 16-bed Reconnect Youth Village supportive-housing program funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development from its downtown location to 1575 Queensway Ave. once renovations are completed.
• The remaining homes will be available for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness and those aging out of care, up to age 27.  
• Additionally, this project will include space for cluster housing units, which will be funded by Community Living BC.
• Cluster housing is available to individuals with developmental disabilities who have the skills and abilities to live semi-independently, close to one another.
• The Prince George Native Friendship Centre will manage the building.
• There will be eight support staff on site providing 24/7 coverage.
• The staff will provide a range of support services, including unique and culturally responsive programming.
• The Province, through BC Housing, is providing approximately $12.7 million for the purchase and renovation of the building through the Supportive Housing Fund.

3177 McGill Crescent:

• With the purchase of the lot of 3177 McGill Cres., BC Housing, in partnership with Northern Health and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, plans to build a home that will provide 10 complex-care housing units.
• The project intends to serve people who have overlapping mental-health and addiction issues or other complex health challenges.
• The focus of the project is people with complex mental- and physical-health issues.
• The operator for the project will be selected through a competitive request-for-proposal process.
• Northern Health will provide health services to the complex-care housing units. Community Living BC is a partner in the project and will provide additional support to residents.
• Funding details will be made available once they are finalized. 

• Complex-care housing (CCH) is designed to address the needs of people who have significant, complex and overlapping mental-health and addiction issues, as well as functional needs and other significant health challenges that affect other areas of their lives, such as brain injuries or mobility impairments.
• CCH offers voluntary and person-centered health, cultural and social supports under one roof, and where people live, for as long as they need it.
• Teams of professionals work alongside the individual and their support network to develop personalized plans aimed at improving their quality of life.
• This collaborative, wraparound approach focuses on reducing hospital visits and interactions with emergency services, highlighting a commitment to long-term well-being.
• Five hundred complex-care housing spaces have been added in the province since the program launch, and in 2023, the Province unveiled its Homes for People plan, which included the expansion of the complex-care housing program. This expansion adds 240 units of complex-care housing in B.C.
• The Province is working closely with BC Housing, regional health authorities, municipal partners and other stakeholders to identify and advance development opportunities for these projects.