Forty people in need of a safe and secure home with supports have a place to call home, with a new supportive housing building opening in Surrey.
“These new homes will be life-changing for 40 people in the Surrey-Newton community,” said Harry Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton. ͞”We are grateful to be working with the City of Surrey and Phoenix Society to provide a place to call home for help people experiencing homelessness.”
Located at 13620 80th Ave., the Nest is a three-storey modular building with 40 studio units, each with a private washroom and kitchen. The building will also include lounge and dining areas, health-care space and a commercial kitchen.
Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society will operate the project and provide on-site staff and support services for residents 24/7, including meal programs, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services and opportunities for volunteer work.
Sixteen of the 40 units will be designated as supportive recovery units and will be available to those who have recently completed a treatment program and are at risk of homelessness.
“Phoenix Society looks forward to the opening of this much-needed facility that will provide new homes and essential supports to some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Keir Macdonald, CEO, Phoenix Society. “The Nest will provide a range of programs and supports and a continuum of care that truly meets people where they are at. We thank the Province and the City of Surrey for their support and look forward to welcoming new residents in the coming weeks.”
This is the second project to open as part of a commitment between the Province and the City of Surrey to deliver 250 permanent supportive homes in the community. Along with this project, Peterson Place has already opened, bringing a combined total of 78 supportive homes toward the commitment. Sixty-one homes at 14706 104th Ave. (Guildford Place) are underway, with construction expected to finish in the coming weeks.
“We are pleased to be opening this supportive housing in Newton, on the heels of recently opened Peterson Place,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. ͞”Together, these projects are proof of our commitment in working with the Province to deliver much needed housing across our city. Homelessness is a complex challenge we must address together, as we work towards ensuring all of our residents have a safe place to call home.”
Residents are expected to start moving in on Monday, July 26, 2021.
Quick Facts:
- The Province provided a $10.3 million grant for the project through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund and will provide annual operating funding of $1.2 million.
- The City of Surrey provided the land for the project under a nominal sub-lease from original landowner TransLink.
Learn More: More information on this project is available online: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/newton. A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC. To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca.