A second 46-unit modular housing project for the homeless is now proposed for Chilliwack, this one on Trethewey Avenue.
The provincial government announced the project Friday funded under the “Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program.”
As with the 46-unit modular housing project slated for the old Traders Inn site on Yale Road downtown, the Trethewey project will be operated by RainCity Housing and will come with 24/7 support for tenants.
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“Like many communities in the province, the City of Chilliwack is working with our government to address a housing crisis that is negatively impacting people in the community,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in a press release. “These homes offer the relief people need in order to stabilize, address health issues and regain self-sufficiency.”
Residents will have their own private units and will be offered life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services, meal programs and opportunities for volunteer work.
Fraser Health will provide additional support to tenants at the Trethewey Avenue modular housing site through the services of the Chilliwack Intensive Case Management (ICM) team. The team will be located at, and will also support, the previously announced 45944 Yale Rd. modular housing site.
Team members include medical clinicians, Indigenous cultural liaisons, nurses, peer service specialists and community-support workers. They will assist tenants facing complex challenges related to health, substance use, mental health, poverty and education.
“I would like to thank the province for the important work they are doing to address the need for supportive housing in our community,” Mayor Sharon Gaetz said. “Chilliwack City Council has consistently advocated for increased services for our vulnerable populations, and we are grateful that BC Housing is providing safe places with wraparound services to those who need them most.”
The site needs to be rezoned and, if approved, construction is expected to begin in the fall with tenants able to move in by spring 2019.
BC Housing and project partners will host a public open house on Sept. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Chilliwack Alliance Church, 8700 Young Rd.
The 2017 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count found 221 people in Chilliwack who were experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Since January 2018, four provincially funded projects supporting people experiencing homelessness, mental health and/or addiction issues in Chilliwack have been proposed or are under construction: Modular supportive housing in the 45000-block of Trethewey Avenue - 46 units (proposed); Youth treatment centre, 45456 Yale Rd. - 20 units (proposed); Modular supportive housing, 45944 Yale Rd. - 46 units (in development); and Salvation Army temporary modular shelter, 45748 Yale Rd. - 46 shelter beds (open).
That’s in addition to the 36-unit apartment building under construction at the Ruth & Naomi’s Mission downtown.
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