People experiencing homelessness in Powell River will be settling into safe, secure homes with support services as new permanent housing opens in the community.
At an opening ceremony, held at the new supportive housing facility at 4910 Joyce Avenue, on Friday, November 8, speakers outlined the importance of the project, and those in attendance were able to go on a tour of the new facility.
“This supportive housing is a critical resource for our community, providing a safe and positive environment for people with the wraparound supports that will result in better health and well-being,” said Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons. “We are thankful for the community partnerships that have resulted in these wonderful homes that give people dignity, hope and an opportunity to focus on making healthy decisions for themselves.”
The three-storey modular building is close to community services and features 44 self-contained units with private washrooms, showers and mini-kitchens. Four of the units on the ground floor are wheelchair accessible. Shared amenities include an office, laundry room, commercial kitchen and dining lounge area, where residents can enjoy meals together. The building has a medical room to provide on-site care for residents.
“The City of Powell River is pleased to see this much-needed supportive housing opening,” said acting mayor George Doubt. “Although there is still much to do, this project will fill an urgent need in our community.”
Lift Community Services, formerly PREP Community Programs, will work in partnership with Life Cycle Housing Society to provide around-the-clock services for residents. Support will be provided by experienced staff and tailored for the residents, according to a media release from BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, including two meals daily, employment and life-skills training, and health and wellness services. By providing safe, secure 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, the ministry stated.
“We are excited and honoured to be involved in a provincial project that puts people first, acknowledges the inherent dignity of every person, and recognizes that safe and secure housing is foundational to any path of getting healthier, feeling connected to your community and living a fulfilling life,” said Lift Community Services executive director Stuart Clark. “We are proud to be leading this program for our community, and having such a reputable partner in Life Cycle working beside us, almost guarantees our success.”
Life Cycle Housing Society treasurer Pat Christie said, “This project is a great example of what cooperation and collaboration can achieve. We thank the qathet Regional District and the city for the land and lease agreement, the provincial government for the building and for financing support services, Lift Community Services for taking on the operations and also our community neighbours for their patience. We look forward to more partnerships to increase housing options in our region because safe, affordable housing makes communities better for everyone.”
ATCO was selected by the province to manufacture the modular units in Powell River and several other modular projects in BC, supporting jobs and local economies.
According to the media release, recent reports show that supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness is substantially improving quality of life for residents and reducing their use of emergency health services.
The province invested $10.4 million in capital and construction costs and will provide a one-time grant of up to $100,000 for the operational startup cost, as well as an annual operating subsidy of $1 million for the project, which is being funded through the Rapid Response to Homelessness program.
