THIRTY-EIGHT new supportive homes are opening in Surrey, while construction is set to start on 40 additional homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the community.

“These new homes are part of our ongoing work to make sure people have housing and the supports they need,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, on Thursday. “We will continue to work with the City of Surrey and community partners to move more people into places they can call home.”

Located at 13245 King George Boulevard, Peterson Place has finished construction and consists of 38 studio units, each with a private washroom and kitchen. The building will also include a commercial kitchen, dining and lounge areas, storage and amenity space, laundry and a medical room. Residents will start moving in on December 21.

Fraserside Community Services Society will operate the housing with supports. It will provide residents with on-site staff and support services 24-7, including meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services, and opportunities to contribute to the community.

In addition, construction is scheduled to start in early 2021 on 40 new supportive homes at 13620 80th Avenue. The homes are expected to be complete in summer 2021 and will be operated by Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society.

Both projects are part of a commitment between the Province and the City of Surrey to deliver 250 permanent supportive modular homes in the community. Construction on 61 supportive homes at 14706 104th Avenue in Surrey is also underway.

Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley, said: “These new homes will make a significant difference in people’s lives here in Surrey. Our government is working hard to reduce homelessness and to make life better for vulnerable people in our community.”

Harry Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton, added: “The need for supportive homes for vulnerable people in the Surrey-Newton community is strong. I would like to thank the City of Surrey and Phoenix Society for partnering with the Province to build these 40 new homes in our community to make sure people in need have a safe place to live with wraparound supports.”

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum said: “We are proud of how this project came together, particularly through this time of the pandemic, to deliver safe and secure housing for our city’s most vulnerable residents at a time when it is needed more than ever. With a strong commitment to ending homelessness, we will now press forward with the same sense of urgency to deliver an additional 40 supportive homes in Newton, with construction beginning next month. I thank all of our partners who have worked together to make these projects a reality.”

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