Surrey – The Province of British Columbia and the City of Surrey have partnered to respond to an urgent need for housing assistance in the community.
As of June 19, approximately 160 individuals experiencing homelessness will be offered housing, as well as health and social supports.
“This is an opportunity to make a significant positive impact on the homelessness crisis in Surrey, and give people the chance to make lasting changes in their lives,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That change starts with housing that includes the support services people need to stabilize their lives, and move on to more permanent housing.”
Based on assessed need, people living along 135A Street will either be offered supportive housing at the temporary buildings that were announced in January, or shelter beds at one of several local shelters. The supportive housing is located at:
- 10662 King George Blvd.
- 13550 105 Ave.
- 13425 107A Ave.
The housing offered will take those currently living on the street into a proper shelter or supportive living environment. Staff will be available, if needed, to help in the packing and transporting of belongings, and transportation of individuals, to the new housing.
The 160 units of temporary housing will include secure, individual rooms, with private bathrooms. Residents will have access to meal programs, counselling and medical offices, 24/7 staffing, and life and employment skills programming. Lookout Housing and Health Society will operate all three buildings.
Fraser Health and Lookout Society will also operate an intensive case management team at the temporary housing, to assist those facing significant challenges with health, mental health, substance use, poverty, education and housing, by connecting them to support services and treatment.
Starting in 2019, the temporary housing will be replaced with 250 units of permanent modular housing as part of the Government of British Columbia’s Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program. The Province and the city are currently working together to identify sites for these new homes.
Services and supports provided for supportive housing
All new supportive housing buildings in the province are being provided with around-the-clock staffing to help young people, people with disabilities, seniors and others in critical need of housing.
Experienced, non-profit housing providers will provide support to tenants based on their assessed needs.
Some of the services and supports that will be provided to young people, seniors, people with disabilities and others who are homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless, are:
- meals;
- connecting residents to community supports, such as education and employment opportunities, and health and wellness services;
- individual or group support services, such as life skills, community information, and social and recreational programs;
- case planning and needs assessment;
- other supports designed to assist residents in meeting their personal and housing goals, including culturally specific programs;
- assistance to access income assistance, pension benefits, disability benefits, obtaining a B.C. identification card or establishing a bank account;
- support for residents to learn how to operate and maintain a home; and
- no-cost laundry services, either on-site or off-site.
