Homelessness Action Week Raises Awareness In The Fraser Valley

By Rich Coleman, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for Housing. As we spent time with friends and family this past weekend, we should keep in mind there are people in our communities who are unable to find affordable housing, or need to seek support at shelters on a regular basis.

Oct. 12-18 is Homelessness Action Week in B.C., and it gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the individuals and organizations in the Fraser Valley that dedicate their time and effort to help end
homelessness in our communities.

We work hard to provide safe, affordable housing. Last year, the provincial government provided more than $99 million to housing supports – including $29 million for 1,900 housing units in the Valley.

Through our regional homelessness outreach teams, the Province is able
to provide services across the entire housing spectrum, connecting
people with a variety of supports to meet individual needs. Examples of
these services are providing income assistance, addiction services and
health services. In the Fraser Valley, there are nearly 290 permanent
year-round emergency shelter spaces. In addition, there are more than
1,100 subsidized units for the homeless. We also provided 500 homeless
rent supplements last year to help people who are homeless or at risk
of homelessness to find housing in the private market.

We also support thousands of families in the region through our Rental
Assistance Program. Last year we assisted over 4,400 low-income,
working families with rental supplements to keep life more affordable.

The Province also supports seniors in our communities through the
Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters, providing rental assistance to over
5,900 low-to-moderate income seniors. Earlier this year, in partnership
with the City of Abbotsford, the Lynnhaven Society and the Government
of Canada, we opened Lynnhaven, a 64-unit affordable housing
development for seniors in Abbotsford. We will continue to build
partnerships to increase affordable housing opportunities in our
communities because we all deserve to live in healthy, vibrant
neighbourhoods.

Since 2006, more than 100,000 households in British Columbia have
benefited from a variety of provincial housing options. This
achievement would not be possible without the support and dedication of
our community partners, organizations, staff and volunteers. They are
the people that make the Fraser Valley a better place to live – for all
of us.

Find out more about the Province’s housing investments in the Fraser
Valley: www.housingmattersbc.ca/docs/fs_Fraser_Region.pdf

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect