PEOPLE will have more housing options and access to critical services as construction begins on a multi-use development with 97 non-market homes and a new health-care treatment centre.
“Everyone needs access to health care and safe, reliable housing,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, on Wednesday. “This development will not only offer low- to middle- income people and families a home that’s within their budget, but will also connect people to health-care treatment they need to get on a better path. Projects like this are part of the work we are doing to make communities healthier, safer and more vibrant for everyone.”
Once complete, the new development at 1636 Clark Drive and 1321-1395 East 1st Avenue will provide 97 homes, rented at the lower end of market rates. These rental homes will be operated by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Affordable Housing Society.
“When people make the courageous decision to reach out for help with substance use, we need services to meet them where they are,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “For many, withdrawal management is often the first step of their recovery journey. This new facility is going to help more people get the critical supports they need and is another step in our work to expand access to treatment and recovery services in B.C., so people can get the care they need, where and when they need it.”
The development also includes a new withdrawal management centre with 51 medically supervised detox beds, 20 sobering beds and 20 short-term transitional beds. The transitional beds will be available for clients who have completed treatment through the withdrawal management centre and are waiting for support recovery and treatment beds in the region.
The withdrawal management centre will offer a range of supports and services, including on-site and out-patient withdrawal management, and sobering services. The centre will be operated by Vancouver Coastal Health and will replace the existing Vancouver Detox Centre.
The building will also house a space for Indigenous-led programs to support community and personal development, healing and wellness, through employment.
The project is a partnership of the Province, through BC Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the City of Vancouver. The development is expected to take approximately three years to build and construction is estimated to be complete in 2028.
This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including almost 10,000 homes in Vancouver.
