The District of North Vancouver and the provincial government are exploring a plan to build up to 40 temporary homes on vacant lots at 1182 Welch St. for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
The proposed development would be delivered through BC Housing under the province’s Homelessness Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) and Homelessness Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program. The District of North Vancouver would lease the land to BC Housing, the province said in a release.
The temporary homes are subject to municipal and other approvals, and funding details will be released if the project moves ahead and plans are finalized.
“Partnering with BC Housing on this important initiative will help bring support and stability to some of our most vulnerable community members,” District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little said in the release. “This project responds to needs we know exist in our community, especially for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.”
The homes would be prioritized for adults in North Vancouver who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and who need support services to maintain stable housing. BC Housing and the building’s operator, Lookout Housing and Health Society, will use a community-based process to match residents to the housing based on their individual needs and available supports.
Lookout will provide a range of on-site services, including at least three staff on site 24/7, two meals a day, skills training, and referrals to health and community supports. Security features at the site will include fencing, camera monitoring and a single controlled point of entry.
The province said the temporary homes are intended to serve as a bridge while new permanent supportive housing is built in the community.
Housing Minister Christine Boyle described the project as an important collaboration with the district to help end homelessness in the community.
North Vancouver is one of six Phase 2 communities added to the HEART and HEARTH program, alongside Cranbrook, New Westminster, Powell River, Smithers and Squamish. Sixteen local governments in total are now partnering with the province on the program, which falls under the Belonging in B.C. plan aimed at preventing homelessness and moving more people indoors.
Since 2017, the province said it has delivered or has underway almost 1,200 homes in North Vancouver, including more than 130 supportive homes.
