Vancouver launches public discussion on supportive housing
From a City of Vancouver News Release...
March 1, 2007
City launches public discussion on supportive housing
The City of Vancouver, working in conjunction with Vancouver Coastal Health, is seeking public input on the City’s Draft Supportive Housing Strategy for people with mental health and/or addiction issues. A series of meetings have been organized to provide information about mental illness, addiction and supportive housing; and existing supportive housing buildings.
The meetings are also designed to discuss the recommendations in the Strategy with an emphasis on how supportive housing can be integrated into neighbourhoods. There will be two general public meetings and eight neighbourhood-based community discussions throughout March and April (see attached schedule of meetings).
The public are also invited to provide feedback
Public feedback from the meetings and web submissions will be presented to City Council in late May as part of the final report back. The public will have an opportunity to speak directly to City Council at that time.
City Council policy is to locate supportive housing throughout Vancouver. Currently there are over 1,200 units of purpose built supportive housing in the City. This 10-year strategy discusses where and how an additional 450 units (10 to 15 buildings) could be built. Supportive housing is affordable housing that helps people stabilize their lives and re-establish connections with the community. Supportive housing ranges from apartments in market rental buildings where individuals receive a rent supplement and outreach support, to apartment buildings with on-site staff support in which some or all of the tenants need support.
For more information, contact: Peter Greenwell City of Vancouver Housing Centre 604-871-6434 Laurie Dawkins Communications & Public Affairs Vancouver Coastal Health 604-708-5312
Public meeting schedule Neighbourhood meetings (please register at 604-871-6434 to ensure adequate space is available)
March 7, 7-9 pm Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street March 14, 7-9 pm
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Drive March 20, 7-9 pm
St. James Community Square, 3214 West 10th Avenue March 23, 7-9 pm
Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 E. Hastings Street April 4, 7-9 pm
Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 3161 Ontario Street April 11, 7-9 pm
Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, 4065 Victoria Drive April 12, 7-9 pm
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Drive (Punjabi interpretation provided) April 17, 7-9 pm
Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 East Pender Street (Cantonese and Mandarin interpretation provided) April 18, 7-9 pm
St. Mary’s Church, 2490 West 37th Avenue April 24, 7-9 pm
St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church, 1012 Nelson Street
General public meetings (pre-registration not required)
March 26, 7-9:30 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)Kitsilano High School Auditorium, 2550 West 10th Avenue
April 5, 7-9:30 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive
