Upon extensive consideration and feedback, the B.C. government has announced new services for the homeless in Maple Ridge.
The multi-prolonged approach hopes to address issues of homelessness in the area and provide a helping hand along with shelter and housing options in the area.
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As per the province, the homeless services will have been divided into six categories:
Intensive Case Management (ICM)
BC Housing and the Fraser Health Authority will partner to create an Intensive Case Management (ICM) team to serve the community. ICM is a team-based model of care serving individuals with severe substance use disorder, who may or may not have concurrent disorders and/or mental illness. These individuals face complex challenges related to health, housing and poverty, and face barriers in accessing existing health or social services.
Shelter spaces
The Province will provide funding for an additional 30 overnight shelter spaces at the Maple Ridge Salvation Army to ensure the most vulnerable members of the community have a place to sleep and the opportunity to connect with support services. The target population will be people transitioning out of the Rain City temporary shelter. The extra spaces will be open for six months.
Closure of temporary shelter
BC Housing has informed RainCity Housing that, as part of the closure plan for the temporary shelter at 22239 Lougheed Hwy., new intakes will end effective March 1, 2017. A curfew will also be implemented at that time. BC Housing will be meeting with RainCity, the RCMP and the City of Maple Ridge to discuss implementation of the closure plan.
BC Housing will work with the Fraser Health Authority and non-profit partners to assist those currently in shelters in Maple Ridge with services provided through the ICM model and with rent supplements for more stable housing in the private market.
The Province remains committed to providing $15 million in capital funding towards a permanent shelter and/or supportive housing program, and will form a community committee to identify an appropriate location.
Hope for Freedom
The Province will provide $50,000 in funding to pay for a new kitchen for Hope for Freedom, an abstinence-based program in Maple Ridge that serves people with addictions, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Investments in Affordable Housing
The Province has committed $11 million for a new development at 11907 228th St., to be operated by the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Community Services Housing Society. This building will provide 80 units of affordable housing for seniors and families.
An additional $1 million has been committed through the Provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Initiative to the Iron Horse, a safe house for vulnerable youth that will operate in Maple Ridge.
In terms of the long-term use of 21375 Lougheed Highway, discussions will take place between the Province and the City on the future uses for the site, such as affordable housing for seniors or families.
The Province has also announced that Coast Mental Health has taken over as the new operator for Alouette Heights, a supportive housing development that provides 46 units of supportive housing.
Rent subsidies
The Province will provide $252,000 for up to 40 rent subsidies for the ICM program to ensure access to affordable housing with dedicated supports. Fraser Health will work in close collaboration with the ICM team to provide comprehensive wrap-around services. The increased rent subsidies, and supports provided by ICM teams, will help at-risk individuals with obtaining longer-term housing solutions.