The Province, through BC Housing, is teaming up with the City of Mission and Mission Community Services Society (MCSS) to develop approximately 50 new supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness in the community.
“Our government is working quickly with our partners to develop supportive housing for the people who need it most,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. “Everyone deserves safe and stable housing, and this new project will give vulnerable people in Mission the supports and services they need to move forward with their lives.”
MCSS, an experienced non-profit housing provider, will operate the homes, located at 7460 Hurd St. The society will provide residents with support services, including daily meals, life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, physical and mental health resources, and access to addiction treatment and recovery services. At least two staff members will always be on site.
“MCSS is proud to partner with BC Housing to offer more supportive housing in Mission,” said Michelle Puffer, executive director, MCSS. “We believe this addition to the housing continuum already in Mission will continue to help support our vulnerable population in achieving a stable housing environment, and that this will enable clients to keep positively moving forward.”
The development will transform Dr. Humes Memorial Park into modular homes for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The City of Mission identified this site as an appropriate location for much-needed supportive housing due to its proximity to community and health-care services. The city will be reaching out to the community to ask what improvements can be made to the other neighbourhood park, Kinsmen West Park.
“This housing is long overdue, and it will fill an important gap for people who want to live independently with easy access to supports,” said Paul Horn, mayor, City of Mission. “We have been very successful in partnering with BC Housing and MCSS in the past, and this project is the next step in that collaboration. We still have work to do, but this is a much-needed project, and we are excited to see it happening.”
BC Housing and MCSS have submitted a development variance permit application for the site. If approved, BC Housing will update the community with the proposed construction timeline.
“This new project will help address the lack of housing options for people in Mission facing complex challenges,” said Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission. “Too many people have been forced to live in shelters or on the street. Thank you to our project partners for working with us to help finally provide those in need a place of their own to call home.”
BC Housing, the City of Mission and MCSS will set up a community advisory committee to oversee the supportive housing’s integration within the community and address any questions raised by people in the neighbourhood.
BC Housing will provide more details about the project and address questions from the community during information sessions on Monday, Sept. 13 and Tuesday, Sept. 14. More information about the project, community advisory committee and information sessions can be found online at: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/mission-hurd-street
Quick Facts:
- The Province is providing approximately $12.3 million to the project through the Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund, as well as $1.4 million in annual operating funding.
- The Province is also providing a grant of $100,000 for one-time startup costs.
Learn More:
A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/
Visit this site for original new release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AG0125-001645