Linked with aid society, mental health/addiction services
Andy Ivens
Province
A groundbreaking was held Tuesday for a $28.8-million supportive housing development on East 1st Avenue in Vancouver, which will provide 129 new apartments for people who are homeless. Photograph by: Handout, B.C. government
The City of Vancouver and the province joined forces at a ground-breaking ceremony Tuesday on a new building that will provide 129 units of supportive housing when completed in 2011.
The 11-storey building is projected to cost $28.8 million. The provincial government will put up $22.8 million, with the City of Vancouver adding the remaining $6 million.
The project, on city land at 188 E. First Ave., is the fourth of 14 new supportive-housing developments the two levels of government have pledged to build in Vancouver.
Lookout Emergency Aid Society will manage and operate the building, which will house adults who are now homeless and may face a variety of challenges, including mental illness, physical disabilities, social dysfunctions and substance abuse.
Housing Minister Rich Coleman said his government “is committed to partnering with local governments so British Columbians have better access to affordable and supportive-housing options with integrated support services.”
While Lookout will offer residents life-skills training, such as cooking and budgeting, Vancouver Coastal Health will provide support services.
“A part of our mission is to partner with organizations to provide exceptional health and support services in Lower Mainland communities,” said Allyson Muir, VCH manager of mental health and addictions housing.
Karen O’Shannacery, Lookout’s executive director, said she looks forward to seeing the project completed.
“Finding stable housing has presented an incredible challenge to the people who will live in this development. Here they will find a safe place to slowly rebuild their lives,” she said.
Mayor Gregor Robertson, in Copenhagen for the conference on climate change, said the project will move the city closer to its goal of ending street homelessness by 2015.
“These housing units are desperately needed, and we will be continuing to work closely with the province to get the rest of our 14 sites of social housing funded, under construction and completed as soon as possible,” said Robertson.
© Copyright (c) The Province