THE Surrey Homelessness & Housing Society (SHHS) has granted the City of Surrey $3.9 million to support three capital projects with long-term impact. Funding will cover renovation costs and long-term leases to support the growing needs of people experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness in Surrey.
“We have been moving quickly to provide for the urgent needs of our residents as a result of the pandemic, but it is important that we also balance this with investments that ensure our long-term needs are addressed,” said Surrey Councillor Laurie Guerra, President of the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society. “These funds will transition people out of homelessness in areas where it is needed most, as we continue to work towards our vision of eradicating homelessness in our City.”
The responsive grant will be distributed over 10 years to support the following capital projects:
The Olive Branch Shelter – 10732 City Parkway
The Olive Brand Shelter will provide 46 beds for men and women, with the intention of accommodating those who are currently living in the Emergency Response Centre (ERC) at the North Surrey Recreation Centre. SHHS will cover costs of the renovation and lease for a 5-year period, so residents will remain sheltered. The Olive Branch Shelter welcomed guests on November 16, 2020.
The Cove Shelter – 10607 King George Boulevard
Providing 42 shelter beds for men and women, the SHHS grant will cover costs of the renovation and lease for a 3-year period. The opening of this shelter in November 2019 enabled individuals living in an outdoor encampment to move indoors and into shelter.
Newton Modular Housing Project – 13620 80th Avenue
SHHS will cover the costs of the lease for a 10-year period, providing 40 supportive housing units for men and women. This is part of the Province’s commitment to develop 250 new modular supportive housing units on five sites in Surrey. Completion is expected in May 2021.
As we head into colder months, the City of Surrey and SHHS want to remind residents of Surrey’s participation in the Provincial Extreme Weather Response (EWR) program run by BC Housing. As a result of the pandemic, shelters are following the Covid-19 safety protocols, including physical distancing.
When an Extreme Weather Response Alert is announced, to date, the following overnight shelter locations will be available in Surrey:
Nightshift Ministries (10635 King George Boulevard) provides shelter for women, from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
PCRS (10453 Whalley Boulevard) provides youth, aged 13 to 21 years, shelter from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Fleetwood Church (9165 160th Street) provides shelter for men and women from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Shamai House (13327 100A Avenue) provides shelter for women, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The City is working closely with BC Housing and Fraser Health to identify additional locations for overnight shelters. An update will be provided soon.
Additionally, the following shelter locations are open every night, regardless of weather conditions, until March 31, 2021:
Pacific Community Church (5337 180th Street) offers men and women shelter from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Peace Portal Church (15128 27B Avenue.) offers shelter for men and women from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
About the Provincial EWR Program
The Provincial EWR Program is intended to provide time-limited, temporary, overnight shelter spaces. EWR sites open in response to inclement weather events during which the health and safety of homeless people living outside is at risk. Since 2005, BC Housing has contracted the Homelessness Services Association of BC to manage the EWR program in Vancouver and Surrey.
