VANCOUVER — Sarah Ross House, a modular housing building in East Vancouver, is now open.
Vancouver’s municipal government and the Province of British Columbia partnered to open 52 living spaces for the project.
The facility is part of the province’s Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program and will offer 24/7 services to residents including meal programs, life and employment skills training, volunteer work opportunities and health and wellness support services, explains a release.
The building will be run by Atira, a non-profit housing operator and was built by Horizon North.
Each home is approximately 30 square metres and contains a bathroom and kitchen. The building also features a large amenity space, commercial kitchen, laundry facilities, a staff room and an office and meeting room for staff and residents.
“Everyone deserves a safe, comfortable place to call home. Together with the City of Vancouver and local non-profits, we are moving quickly to get people off the street and into real homes with 24/7 supports,” B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson said in a statement.
The building is named after Sarah Ross, an early resident of Vancouver’s Collingwood neighbourhood and member of the Neskonlith Indian Band who made her way to the city from Kamloops to escape racism.
“We are closing in on our goal of providing 600 temporary modular homes for some of our most vulnerable residents in neighbourhoods across the city,” added Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
“Not only does temporary modular housing provide a safe and stable home for people who were formerly living on the streets or in shelters, residents will also have access to the support services they need to get back on track in the community.”
Sarah Ross House is part of a provincewide investment of $291 million to build 2,000 homes across B.C. through its homelessness program, $66 million will go to delivering 600 modular homes in Vancouver.
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