PEOPLE experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Abbotsford will have access to more shelter spaces, with 22 new spaces open and 45 spaces opening over the coming months.
“Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to stay, and by building more shelter spaces, we’re ensuring the community as a whole is stronger for everyone,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, on Friday. “This is another example of our work to bring people safely indoors with access to the important services they need to have full, healthy lives. Homelessness and encampments are a tough challenge, but we’re starting to make real progress in Abbotsford with the new units opening.”
The shelter at 2509 Pauline Street, operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society, opened its doors for 22 new shelter spaces in early April. It gives people who had been staying outdoors or in an encampment a safe place to stay. Pauline Shelter will be operated separately from the Lighthouse Shelter with 20 spaces that are open in a former hotel.
“Shelters give people chances to clean their lives up, give them opportunities like connecting them to a job, getting taxes done, getting stuff that they’re not good at doing, and figuring out what resources are available to them,” said Roy, who has lived experience. “Shelters help people sleep better, stay clean, find opportunities to get clean (off drugs), connect with peers to help them move forward in life.”
Two additional shelters will open soon, reflecting the Province’s ongoing commitment to provide housing and support services for people in need. At 2539 Montvue Avenue, 30 shelter spaces are complete and people can start moving in in June. At 1661 McCallum Road, renovations for the expansion of the existing shelter with 15 spaces will begin in summer 2025, to increase the shelter’s capacity to 30 spaces. People are expected to be welcomed in by fall 2025.
The operators of these shelters will provide a variety of services for guests, including life-skills training, referrals to employment assistance and counselling, and physical and mental-health resources. The buildings will have at least two staff members on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that residents are supported. Security will include camera monitoring and a controlled single point of entry.
The shelters will have staff on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support guests.
These shelters 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.
