VANCOUVER — A new Vancouver modular housing project called New Beginnings is intended to give Indigenous people experiencing homelessness a place to live.
The Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver are partnering on a 98-unit supportive housing project, located at 5095 Heather St. and built by B.C. manufacturer Horizon North. Each home is 29.7 square metres and will contain a bathroom and kitchen. Twelve of the 98 units will be wheelchair accessible.
New Beginnings will offer meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services and volunteer opportunities.
Other modular buildings under the Building BC Rapid Response to Homelessness program offer the same services.
The housing will be managed by the Lu’ma Native Housing Society, which has a 38-year history as a social housing provider and is the first native housing society in the province.
“We are thrilled to be selected as the non-profit housing operator and are appreciative for the opportunity to provide housing, as well as 24-hour support services for Indigenous homeless residents,” Lu’ma Native Housing Society president Kent Patenaude said in a statement.
The provincial government provided $16.1 million to the project and will provide an operating subsidy.
“Creating safe, warm homes for nearly 100 people, New Beginnings at Heather Lands will help give just that to its future tenants. The buildings will provide a strong foundation for people currently experiencing homelessness and we are pleased that Indigenous residents will be prioritized as tenants for these new homes,” Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart added.
The units have been made possible through a five-year license agreement provided to the City of Vancouver by the land owners, Canada Lands Company and the MST Partnership, which consists of the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
Recent Comments
comments for this post are closed