Surrey/Maple Ridge – On Thursday, the Province announced that in conjunction with the Salvation Army, that $3.6 million was to purchase property at 11749/11761 Burnett St. for a proposed project that would include approximately 40 new supportive housing units and relocation of up to 40 shelter beds.
The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows ministries would operate the new project and move their existing shelter at 22188 Lougheed Highway to the new building to be constructed on the site.
Local homeless workers say its the right money but the wrong location and some are concerned about the Salvation Army running the project. Some homeless feel that religion will be forced down their throats. The Salvation Army states that won’t be the case.
On Friday, it’s Surrey’s turn.
The British Columbia government and the City of Surrey have announced plans for three temporary modular-housing projects.
Scheduled to be fully operational in early spring 2018, the approximately 160 supportive housing units will include individual rooms with private bathrooms, meal service, counselling and medical offices, 24/7 staffing and life and employment skills programming.
These units will provide an emergency solution to meet the urgent need of people experiencing homelessness. This housing will be replaced by 250 units of permanent affordable housing, once additional sites have been identified and the additional modular homes with support services have been built.
The Province is allocating approximately $13 million in capital funding and more than $1 million in operating funding for the short-term housing that will be located at three sites, including 10662 King George Blvd. and 13550-105 Ave. The third site will be confirmed at a later date.
The temporary housing will be repurposed modular housing, which will allow BC Housing to expedite the delivery and installation of the units.
The city, in partnership with BC Housing, will hold a public information session on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, to answer questions and address any concerns.
The new homes will be operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society.
To assist people with severe substance disorders who are homeless in the community, Fraser Health, in partnership with Lookout Housing and Health Society and BC Housing, will operate an intensive case management (ICM) team out of one of the modular-housing sites.
