More than 200 supportive homes, shelter spaces on the way throughout B.C.

Press Release

Feb. 5, 2025

VICTORIA – People will have more affordable housing options in their communities with more than 200 supportive homes, shelter spaces, culturally supportive homes and homes for seniors opening or starting construction.

“We’re building supportive homes and shelters to help people get on a better path to living full, healthy lives,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “We’re also investing in affordable, culturally appropriate housing so more Indigenous people and seniors have a place they can call home, in the community they love. We know more needs to be done, and by speeding up building approvals and construction timelines and working with our partners, we’re helping more people find a home that meets their needs.”

In December 2024, construction began on a supportive housing project in New Westminster, which will include 52 permanent supportive homes. In Kamloops, a new shelter called Pathways is open at 142 Tranquille Rd., which includes 44 new shelter spaces. In Prince George, 42 new indoor units are open at 397 3rd Ave. These permanent homes and temporary shelter spaces will further support people at risk or experiencing homelessness in the communities.

The Province and BC Housing are working with Indigenous non-profit housing providers, First Nations and other Indigenous organizations to create new affordable and culturally appropriate homes. In Victoria, a new culturally supportive home with 15 units is available for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who are pregnant, or have recently given birth and are at risk of homelessness. Eight Snuneymuxw First Nations families have moved into new affordable homes located on reserve at 1968-1982 Warpath Rd.

More seniors will be able to age with dignity with the supports they need in affordable homes, where they feel safe and connected. In Peachland, construction has begun on Phase II of the Peachland Seniors’ Support Society’s affordable housing residences at 4444 5th St. The building will provide 73 affordable homes for seniors in the community.

The Province will continue to enhance the delivery of supportive and complex-care housing in a manner that keeps residents and others safe. These housing projects will deliver 234 permanent homes and temporary shelter spaces in six B.C. communities.

These projects are part of the B.C. government’s $19-billion investment in homes for people and actions to drive the construction of more homes people can afford. Since 2017, the Province has more than 90,000 homes delivered or underway, with actions underway to help deliver thousands more over the next 10 years.

Quick Facts:

• Since 2017, the Province has more than 9,700 supportive homes completed or underway in B.C. communities.
• The Province has committed to creating more than 20,000 new rental homes for seniors and families through the Community Housing Fund.
• With the recent announcements about selected projects, more than 13,250 of these homes are already open or underway.

Learn More:

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

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

Two backgrounders follow.

Contact:

Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
236 478-0251

BACKGROUNDER 1

What people are saying about the new homes

Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation –

“In B.C., we are taking direct action to address the urgent and critical need for culturally supportive housing on reserve and off reserve by working in partnership with First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Together, we are laying a strong foundation so communities can thrive and making positive changes in people’s lives by meeting their fundamental needs.”

Mark Miller, CEO, Connective –

“We understand that stable, appropriate housing is a critical step in preventing crises and a foundation for accessing additional supports, overcoming barriers and pursuing personal independence. The transitional housing program at 3rd and London is an exciting opportunity to diversify local responses to homelessness, while leveraging our expertise to help individuals work toward long-term stability.”

Keith Fielding, president, Peachland Seniors’ Support Society –

“We’re thrilled to see the second phase of our seniors’ housing project underway. Phase 2 adds 73 new homes to the Residences on Sixth project, bringing the total to 147 units. Our thanks to BC Housing for this second partnership and to the District of Peachland for leasing the land.”

Chief Michael Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation –

“We celebrate Snuneymuxw families moving into La’lum’utul, new homes that are part of our ongoing work to create more affordable housing options for our people. We are grateful for our continued partnership with BC Housing and the meaningful results we are achieving together.”

Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, executive director, Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness –

“Sacred Cradle House will meet a critical need in Victoria to keep First Nations, Métis and Inuit families together through culturally supportive housing, Indigenous approaches and child-rearing practices, including decolonized harm reduction and land-based healing.”

Bob Hughes, CEO, ASK Wellness Society –

“As we prepare to open our doors, ASK Wellness Society is proud and humbled to help bring the Access Hub Committe’s vision to life. This collaborative effort highlights the power of partnership in addressing the urgent shelter needs of Kamloops’ North Shore, providing support, hope and wraparound services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Contact:

Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
236 478-0251

BACKGROUNDER 2

What to know about projects open or underway in six B.C. communities

The Province’s historic investment is helping people find housing that works for them.

Supportive housing:

602 Agnes St. (formerly 68 Sixth St.), New Westminster:

• Fifty-two homes will open at 602 Agnes St. for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Construction began in December 2024 and the project is expected to be complete in spring 2026.
• The Province, through BC Housing, is contributing approximately $15.7 million toward the project from the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund.
• The City of New Westminster is providing the land, valued at $2.7 million.
• Lookout Housing and Health Society has been selected as the operator.

Shelter spaces:

Pathways, 142 Tranquille Rd., Kamloops:

• Forty-four indoor shelter spaces are available for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the community.
• The project is funded through the Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program, which was created to support the Province and municipalities to rapidly build new shelter and housing options to bring people indoors.
• The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $3.5 million for renovations, including work needed to make the former commercial space habitable.
• BC Housing will provide $2.6 million in annual operating subsidy for the shelter.
• ASK Wellness Society has been selected as the operator.

397 3rd Ave., Prince George:

• Forty-two new indoor units are available with the opening of the 3rd Avenue Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) project.
• Residents are people who have been living in community shelters long term, sheltering outdoors in the Lower Patricia encampment and surrounding area.
• The Province, through BC Housing, provided approximately $4.1 million for construction of the project through the Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) and HEARTH programs.
• BC Housing will also provide an annual operating funding of $2.1 million and an additional $100,000 one-time start-up grant.
• Connective has been selected to operate the building.

Culturally supportive homes for Indigenous Peoples on and off reserve:

Xexe Pahlatsis Lelum (Sacred Cradle House), 1011 Fort St., Victoria:

• First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who are pregnant or who have recently given birth have access to a new culturally supportive home with 15 temporary units of supportive housing with the opening of Xexe Pahlatsis Lelum (Sacred Cradle House).
• The Province, through BC Housing, provided a grant of approximately $7.8 million to purchase and renovate the building, as well as an annual operating funding of approximately $840,000, both through the Homeless Action Plan Enhanced (HAP-E) fund.
• The Province, though BC Housing, also provided a one-time operating start-up budget of $35,000.
• Island Health has committed $1.1 million over the next three years to fund the culturally based healing programs in Sacred Cradle House, including supporting an Elder (Aunty) to attend birthing/appointments and provide child-minding supports.
• The funding will also support recreational, social, cultural and recovery groups within Sacred Cradle Housing, and traditional cooking classes, healing circles and birth classes.
• The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provided the funding to support Sacred Cradle House.
• The building will be operated by the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH).

La’lum’utul, 1968-1982 Warpath Rd., Snuneymuxw on-reserve lands:

• Snuneymuxw First Nation families have moved into eight new affordable homes located on reserve, surrounded by their community.
• The project is a partnership between Snuneymuxw First Nation, the Province through BC Housing, and the Government of Canada through the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation.
• The Province, through BC Housing, contributed approximately $1.4 million to the project.
• The federal government contributed $480,000 through the Affordable Housing Fund and $712,000 in joint funding for the La’lum’utul housing project through the Canada Housing Initiative, which is part of the Canada-British Columbia Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
• The housing will be operated and owned by Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Seniors’ housing:

4444 5th St., Peachland:

• Seventy-three affordable homes for seniors in Peachland are underway, with the building set to open in spring 2026.
• The Province, through BC Housing, is contributing approximately $11.6 million through a Community Housing Fund grant.
• The District of Peachland is providing the land for the project, valued at $1.6 million and leased at a nominal rate.
• The Peachland Seniors’ Support Society will own and operate the building.

Contact:

Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
236 478-0251

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