Oct. 3, 2006

VICTORIA – Housing Matters BC, an innovative and comprehensive housing strategy to help British Columbians access affordable housing, was unveiled by Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman today.

“This strategy will immediately assist approximately 15,000 low-income working families and homeless individuals,” said Coleman. “It’s also a new direction for housing, designed to provoke discussion about long-term solutions. We can only address homelessness and housing affordability if we all work together – long-term solutions require the co-operation of all levels of government, as well as organizations and volunteers dedicated to housing.”

A range of housing options are addressed in the strategy, from homelessness, affordable housing and home ownership to building safe homes. With today’s announcement, the Province’s budget for shelters and affordable housing is $218 million – nearly double what it was in 2001. By 2008, spending will increase to $250 million.

The Province is providing $40 million annually towards a new Rental Assistance Program for working families with an annual income below $20,000. Eligible households will receive direct financial assistance that can be applied toward rental accommodation that best suits their needs. The level of assistance will depend on the household size, income, and the amount of rent paid, similar to the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, which assists nearly 15,000 seniors each month. The Rental Assistance Program, estimated to help up to 15,000 British Columbian families, comes into effect immediately.

Housing Matters BC also includes a commitment to build an additional 450 units of new supportive housing under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The Province will subsidize these new units at a cost of $10.7 million a year for 35 years. Supportive housing provides ongoing supports and services to residents who cannot live independently and are at risk of homelessness. An Expressions of Interest is being issued today for non-profit groups across the province to develop these new units.

In addition, the Province will provide a subsidy of $13 million a year for 35 years to create 550 new assisted living units under the Independent Living BC program for seniors. Since 2001, 9,700 assisted living and supportive housing units have been completed or are under development.

Another key component of Housing Matters BC is an expanded, provincewide homeless outreach program that will help those living on the street access government housing and income support. An additional $3.6 million over three years will fund projects in communities around the province, allowing them to work one-on-one with homeless individuals to find food, warm clothing and housing. Outreach workers also make appointments and accompany people to meetings about life-skills training, personal health, household and financial management and crisis intervention.

“We value our strong partnership with the government of British Columbia in providing shelters and transition housing for people who need support to regain their independence,” said Major Bill Mollard, divisional secretary of business administration for The Salvation Army in B.C. “With funding for more homeless outreach teams and the 450 additional supportive housing units, the Province will be able to work with not-for-profit agencies and charitable groups to help more people break the cycle of homelessness.”

The new strategy also addresses the unique needs of Aboriginal people, transferring the management of 2,600 housing units to the Aboriginal Housing Management Association. Aboriginal people make up three per cent of B.C.’s population yet form 30 per cent of Vancouver’s homeless. As part of the New Relationship and the Transformative Change Accord signed with First Nations and the federal government, the Province is committed to measures that will help close the social and economic gap between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians. Transferring management of the units to the association is another important step towards meeting that goal.

“The majority of Aboriginal people live off reserve and have a fundamental need for safe, adequate, affordable, healthy housing delivered in a culturally sensitive manner,” said Linda Ross, CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association. “The provincial government has made a shift to allow the supportive housing programs for off-reserve Aboriginal people to be delivered by the Aboriginal Housing Management Association and we appreciate this opportunity for self-management and self-determination.”

Housing Matters BC contains six goals:

• The homeless have access to stable housing with integrated support services.
• B.C.’s most vulnerable citizens receive priority for assistance.
• Aboriginal housing need is addressed.
• Low-income households have improved access to affordable rental housing.
• Home ownership is supported as an avenue to self-sufficiency.
• B.C.’s housing and building regulatory system is safe, stable and efficient.

Housing Matters BC helps people at each stage along the housing continuum, from homelessness to home ownership. For more information or to download a copy of the strategy, visit www.housing.gov.bc.ca or www.bchousing.org