20 Questions about our new homes for homeless people

20 questions about our new homes for homeless people With Stuart Clark, executive director of the Powell River Employment Program

Stuart Clark

1. Where and what is the Modular Housing project? 40 new studio homes with support services and 24- hour staff on-site, at 4910 Joyce Avenue (near Alberni Street)

2. When does it open? In the next few months. Delays are all constructionrelated. We expect to start moving people in by midNovember

3. Who gets to live there? Powell River residents (have been here at least one year) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and require supports to maintain their housing.

4 . How were the new residents chosen? A local committee, led by staff at BC Housing and PREP, chose who will live there. We prioritized those who are most in need, to reduce homelessness in qathet Regional District.

5. Are these people who are coming here from out of town? These new homes are for Powell River residents only. We received 81 applications for the 40 homes, and every applicant is local to the area, many whom have grown up here.

6. Who paid for the project? The Province paid for the construction, and will provide operating funding.

7. Which agencies are involved? PREP in partnership with Lifecycle Housing, two longstanding local non-profits, will be running the program on behalf of BC Housing, with support from the Powell River Regional Hospital District, Vancouver Coastal Health, the City of Powell River and others.

8. How much did it cost? The capital budget was approximately $10 million. The annual operating budget will be $1 million.

“We expect that everyone currently living outside will be housed.”

– Stuart Clark

9. Was there a community consultation? There was a Neighborhood Information Session in September, 2018 that was well attended. We heard lots of feedback which was incorporated into both the design of the building and the operations plan.

10. What kind of supports are in place for the residents? The building will have at least two staff on-site 24/7. A case coordinator will help residents improve the quality of their lives. Other supports include internet access, laundry facilities, a meal program, medical and more.

11. Will there still be homeless people here? We expect that everyone currently living outside will be housed. However, there are more people at risk of homelessness than there are homes available.

12. Will the winter shelter still exist elsewhere? Yes. 13. How much will residents pay to live there? $375 a month: the current “shelter maximum” rate for people receiving Income Assistance or Disability Assistance.

14. Are there similar projects in other BC cities? Yes. In just over two years, government has built over 1,840 supportive homes, with a goal of 4,700 over 10 years.

15. What other affordable housing is being developed for Powell River’s low-income families and seniors? Lifecycle Housing is planning to develop more affordable units in Cranberry. Sunset Homes is building 34 units for seniors (55+) near Joyce and Duncan. Inclusion and BC Housing are opening 40 units of affordable housing on Ontario Ave.

16. Should neighbours of the modular housing project be prepared for an increase in crime? BC housing has studied this issue and found that within a few months of opening, community concerns decrease rapidly and the supportive housing

A BIG JOB: Fernando Gomez will be managing the province’s new Rapid Response to Homelessness supported modular housing building (above) when it opens this fall.

17. How is it fair that some people get subsidized housing, and others don’t? BC’s Rapid Response to Homelessness program is targeted for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, are residents of Powell River, and need supports to maintain housing. As noted above, there are a number of other affordable rental projects underway.

18. If the residents of the modular housing project cause problems for me, who should I call? Fernando Gomez, PREP’s Supportive Housing Manager: fernando@prepsociety.org. A Community Advisory Committee meets monthly to ensure the successful integration of the new housing into the community; neighbors are welcome to become members of this Committee. Contact Fernando.

19. If I want to advocate for more subsidized housing in Powell River, how do I do that? Reach out to your MLA or contact BC Housing directly and share your feedback. Join or attend the Powell River Housing Roundtable (contact City Councillor Maggie Hathaway).

20. Can I volunteer to help? Eventually there will be opportunities to volunteer, as the building has community gardens, a kitchen, and a common space in the building where workshops can be offered to residents. Contact Fernando.