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New supportive housing opens in Vernon

New supportive housing opens in Vernon

May 23, 2019 | 2:29 PM

Fifty- two individuals who live on the streets in Vernon will soon have a place to call home.

The B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, arrived to mark the grand opening of My Place, an affordable housing complex on 27 Avenue.

” We know that having a safe home is a strong foundation and that the support services are the building blocks that will give people the strength and their purpose and the hope that they need for a fresh start, and this project in Vernon means that the people in need will have the homes and support that they require so that they can reconnect to who they are and with who they want to be,”said B.C. Minister of Municipal Affars and Housing Selina Robinson.

Turning Points Collaborative will be responsible for operating the new building.

The complex consists of 52 rooms, three of which are accessible to those with disabilities.

An individual resident will be charged $375 a month, while couples will pay $570 to live in the complex.

Each unit comes equipped with a kitchenette and a private bathroom.

Laundry facilities, a common dining room, and a commercial grade kitchen is also on site for residents to use.

A medical room is also available and it may be used to help those battling addiction.

“Giving folks a safe clean space to use substances, it’s a priority for us, it is about keeping people safe,” said Shelley Kiefiuk, Site Manager at Turning Points Collaborative.

The building is also pet friendly, which according to Kiefiuk is important to alleviating the barriers that many face on the streets when trying to get out of homelessness

” We find that it is a huge barrier for most people renting anywhere is finding somewhere where they can take their pets, and as you know pets are like family to folks and they require them for support so we are quite happy that we have a pet friendly facility.”

24/7 support will also be provided to residents including access to health and wellness services, work and training opportunities , and group support sessions that can help with the development of life skills.

The province has invested $11 million to construct the project, and they will be supplying an annual operating budget  to fund the facility every year.