A newly proposed supportive housing and permanent shelter development will be operated by Lift Community Services if rezoning and lease allowances are successful, according to the nonprofit organization.
The proposed development, a partnership of BC Housing and City of Powell River, would include 43 supportive homes and 20 permanent shelter beds, located adjacent to 5000 Joyce Avenue next to qathet General Hospital. The housing will help keep people off the streets, out of encampments and indoors, where they can access the services they need, Lift stated in a media release. Lift currently operates the existing supportive housing building at 4910 Joyce Avenue.
“We’re heartened that BC Housing and the City of Powell River are working to bring additional affordable housing and permanent shelter beds to the community,” stated Lift executive director Kim Markel. “Our experience and expertise as the operators of our Harvie and Joyce building, and the existing temporary shelter, will be an asset for the expansion of services in the region.”
Supportive housing offers subsidized rental housing with 24/7 staff support for single adults, seniors and people with disabilities at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Lift’s existing building at 4910 Joyce Avenue, which opened in December 2019, offers 44 self-contained rental units with two meals a day, laundry and home support, daily wellness checks, individualized support including appointment reminders, life skills training and connections to health care, mental health and substance use services. Security and community integration of the supporting housing project will be a top priority.
“There’s a significant need to provide more supportive housing and shelter spaces for vulnerable people in Powell River,” stated Ravi Kahlon, BC minister of housing. “We know that communities and people experiencing homelessness are safer when they have shelter and housing because people can come indoors, stabilize and access the services and treatment they need to rebuild their lives.”
Information about the proposed development is available on BC Housing’s Let’s Talk website at letstalkhousingbc.ca/powell-river-joyce-avenue.
“The co-location of these services will allow individuals to move through the continuum of sheltering and housing services in a meaningful way,” stated Markel. “Over the past five years we’ve supported many individuals to stay safe and sheltered, to move into market housing, seek health and substance use treatment, re-connect with family, and more. We believe that housing is a human right and we’re proud to be helping to provide safe and accessible housing and shelter services for folks in our community.”
An in-person open house is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 11, for the public to learn more about the development. Registration is required and the public is asked to RSVP at powell-river-joyce-avenue.eventbrite.ca.
“I am pleased that Lift will have the opportunity to provide additional supports for individuals with specific needs," stated Lift's board president Maggie Hathaway. "Our region has limited resources and supportive housing helps to fill the gap by offering on-site support while connecting individuals to local resources."
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