Friday, October 25, 2019 2:45 PM

More than 50 people who have been without safe and secure homes are moving into supportive housing with around-the-clock support services as a new permanent modular housing project opens.

“This new supportive housing will give people the foundation they need to move forward with their lives,” said Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North. “Everyone deserves that opportunity, and that is why we are working with municipalities, such as Burnaby, to deliver thousands of new supportive homes with 24/7 support for residents. These homes will provide dignity and hope for the people who will call this place home and will support the well-being of the whole community.”

Located at 3986 Norland Ave., the three-storey modular apartment building features 52 units, each with a private washroom and mini kitchen. Six of the units are wheelchair accessible. The building includes a commercial kitchen, a dining lounge area where residents can enjoy meals together and a common laundry room.

“Norland is a step toward achieving the supply of safe and affordable housing people need,” said Mike Hurley, mayor, City of Burnaby. “For individuals, it is a chance to build a healthier and more stable life. For the community, it is a signal that the City of Burnaby is committed to public safety and ensuring there is a place here for everyone.”

Progressive Housing Society will operate the building and provide residents with health and wellness support services and meal programs, as well as life and employment skills training. By providing housing along with these wraparound services, supportive housing helps improve residents’ quality of life and reduces their use of health and social services in the long term.

“Progressive Housing Society is so thrilled to be opening and operating 52 units of safe and secure supportive housing for some of Burnaby’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Jaye Treit, executive director, Progressive Housing Society. “In partnership with the City of Burnaby and BC Housing, we know that this opportunity will not only make a positive change for the people we serve, it will also save lives. This is a crucial and important event for this community.”

B.C.-based manufacturer Horizon North was selected by the Province to manufacture the modular units in Burnaby and several other modular projects in B.C., supporting jobs and local economies.

Delivering affordable housing is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quick Facts:

• The Province invested $10.1 million in capital and construction costs and will provide annual operating funding for the project, which is being funded through the Rapid Response to Homelessness program.
• The City of Burnaby provided a $250,000 grant from its Housing Fund to cover the servicing costs for the site. The city also leased the land to BC Housing at a nominal rate.
• Residents will be charged a monthly rate of $375, which is the social assistance shelter allowance provided by the Province to people experiencing homelessness.
• In just over two years, government has built more than 2,000 supportive homes, with over 800 more underway and a goal of 4,700 over 10 years.

Learn More:

New reports show that supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness is substantially improving the quality of life for residents and reducing their use of emergency health services. The full reports and a summary of the results can be found here:
https://www.bchousing.org/modular-supportive-housing-resident-outcomes-reports

Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program:
https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/RRH-program

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is  available online:
https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/