NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008OTP0292-001914 Dec. 16, 2008	Office of the Premier BC Housing City of Vancouver
PARTNERSHIP TO SHELTER HOMELESS IN VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER – An unprecedented partnership between the Province, the City of Vancouver and the private sector will provide $1.5 million to create up to 200 temporary shelter beds in three locations for people who are homeless in Vancouver.

 

“Providing warm, safe shelter for every British Columbian facing the prospect of a night on the streets in harsh winter weather is a priority for all of us,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “Through shelters, we can connect homeless persons with other services, supports and permanent housing opportunities. We welcome this partnership with the new mayor and council to work together to break the cycle of homelessness.”

            Each partner will provide $500,000 to fund temporary overnight shelter beds for the next 90 days. The three locations are distributed across the city at Stanley / New Fountain (36 Blood Alley Square), 240 Northern Street and 1442 Howe Street. Once these locations are operational, the need for additional spaces will be evaluated.

 

            “Since homelessness is the top priority of this council, we are taking immediate action to get people off the street and into a safe, warm environment,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver. “We recognize the value of leveraging partnerships with the Province and the private sector to create much-needed shelter.”

            This short-term response complements other provincial housing strategies already underway in Vancouver, including the purchase and renovation of 17 single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels, the development of over 1,400 new affordable housing units on 14 city sites, 687 beds funded through the Emergency Shelter Program, and 498 beds provided through the Extreme Weather Response program.

            “We are pleased to partner with the Province and the City of Vancouver to provide temporary shelters to people who need it most,” said John McLernon, chair of the Streetohome Foundation. “This partnership supports the mandate of the foundation to help people get off the street and into safe affordable housing.”

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary, Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Susan Thom Corporate Communications, BC Housing 604 230-1301
	Kevin Quinlan Office of the Mayor, City of Vancouver 778 995-2264	Jae Kim President, Streetohome Foundation 604 629-2711
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