Summary

• The District of North Vancouver is now a new HEART and HEARTH partner with the Province to help end homelessness
• The Province, through BC Housing, is working with the District of North Vancouver to develop new temporary homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

__________

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness in North Vancouver will soon have new housing options, as the Province and the District of North Vancouver partner to develop new temporary homes.

“This is an important collaboration with the District of North Vancouver to help end homelessness in the community,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “The new temporary homes will provide a safe, supportive place for people experiencing homelessness, while new permanent supportive housing continues to be developed in the community. Throughout B.C., communities are becoming stronger and safer for everyone as we work together to provide safe housing for people, ensuring better opportunities to connect to the supports and services they need to bring stability to their lives.”

As part of this partnership, the Province, through BC Housing, and the District of North Vancouver are exploring adding as many as 40 temporary homes on vacant lots at 1182 Welch St. These additions would be part of the Homelessness Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) and Homelessness Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program.

“Partnering with BC Housing on this important initiative will help bring support and stability to some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Mike Little, mayor, District of North Vancouver. “This project responds to needs we know exist in our community, especially for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.”

These proposed temporary homes with supports are subject to municipal and other approvals. Funding details will be available if the project is approved and as plans are finalized. 

Supporting local residents to move indoors

These temporary homes would be prioritized for adults in the North Vancouver community who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and need support services to maintain stable housing.

BC Housing and the operator, Lookout Housing and Health Society, will use a community-based process to offer temporary housing to people suited to their individual needs and available supports. This process helps ensure residents are set up for success and more likely to remain housed.

Lookout will provide a variety of services to residents to help them achieve their personal and housing goals. These include:

• at least three staff on site 24/7 
• two meals a day
• skills training
• health and community support referrals

In addition to these services, there will be security features, such as fencing, camera monitoring and a controlled single point of entry.

These temporary homes will serve as a bridge, while new permanent supportive housing is built in the community. By helping more people come indoors, the community will be more connected and safer for everyone.

Advancing encampment response throughout B.C.

To put HEART and/or HEARTH in place, 16 local governments are partnering with the Province.

• Phase 1 communities include Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack and Cheam First Nation (HEARTH only), Duncan (HEARTH only), Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Victoria and Vancouver.
• Phase 2 communities with new partnerships include Cranbrook, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Powell River, Smithers and Squamish.

This work is part of the Province’s Belonging in B.C. plan to help prevent homelessness and bring more people indoors quicker.

Quotes:

Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale –

“Investing in our North Vancouver community with this new housing option will provide meaningful help to people who are struggling and need supports like food and health-care access. Everyone deserves a safe place to live and call home, and make connections. The Province’s partnership with our local government will make such a positive difference in our district and community.”

Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour –

"Opening new housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness will make our whole community safer and stronger. I’m proud of the work our government is doing to partner with North Vancouver to help people access housing where they can connect with others and the services and supports they need.”

Quick Facts:

• The District of North Vancouver would lease the land to BC Housing.
• Since 2017, the Province has more than 95,000 homes delivered or underway in communities throughout B.C. This includes more than 9,900 supportive homes open or underway.
• The Province has almost 1,200 homes delivered or underway in North Vancouver, including more than 130 supportive homes.

Learn More:

• To read the Belonging in B.C. plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BelongingStrategy.pdf
• For information about the Homeless Encampment Action Response Teams (HEART) and the Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) programs, visit:
  https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/homelessness-services/HEART-HEARTH
• To learn about the steps the Province is taking to address the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for people in B.C., visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/
• To see a map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C., visit:
  https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
• Learn more about household supports and for those who build and provide homes here:
  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/more-homes-for-people