MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. – An independent review of three Maple Ridge supportive housing sites is recommending improvements to the safety of and services available to residents.
The report includes recommendations for BC Housing, Coast Mental Health, the City of Maple Ridge, the Province of B.C. and other community supports and services, a release stated.
BC Housing will work with Coast Mental Health, the City of Maple Ridge, the province, including Fraser Health, and other community partners to collectively address the feedback highlighted in the review and to continue to strengthen services to the residents of the three supportive housing sites in Maple Ridge.
The review began with the Royal Crescent supportive housing facility, which was built in 2018 and the report stated was intended as a temporary emergency solution to provide housing for people sheltering at the Anita Place encampment in Maple Ridge. A new permanent building currently under construction will replace it.
The review of Royal Crescent was directed by the former minister responsible for housing, and now Premier David Eby, after operational concerns were brought forward by community members. External consulting firm Harry Cummings and Associates Inc. led the review, which was expanded to examine operations at all three supportive housing sites in Maple Ridge: Royal Crescent, Garibaldi Ridge and Alouette Heights, which are operated by Coast Mental Health.
A number of changes were implemented after issues were first, which include:
- Repairing perimeter fencing and adding additional fencing around the inner courtyard to strengthen site security;
- adding consistent nursing hours, provided seven days a week across all three sites;
- introduction of the Assertive Community Treatment team, Intensive Case Management team which are now delivering expanded mental-health and substance-use services to residents who need those services at all three sites;
- opening new complex care housing spaces in Maple Ridge for people who need more intensive mental-health and addictions supports than are provided in supportive housing;
- increased wellness checks for residents from every 48 hours to every 24 hours at minimum and more frequent wellness checks are available in discussion with individuals;
- launching the Decolonizing Coast Working Group and hired an Indigenous liaison worker; and
- adding a Coast Mental Health van to transport clients to medical appointments and other support services in the community.
The full report is available here.
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