FAQ
Why is more supportive housing needed in Surrey?
600 people are currently experiencing homelessness in Surrey. Peterson Place will help address this situation by providing new homes for 38 people.
What is supportive housing?
Supportive housing provides a home as well as 24/7 on-site support services.
People who live in supportive housing must apply and undergo a thorough assessment process. If accepted, they would live in a self-contained studio home with supports provided on-site to ensure that they can achieve and maintain housing stability. All residents would sign a Program Agreement (similar to a Tenancy Agreement) and would pay rent.
There are a variety of potential support services. Each resident may require different support. All residents receive individualized case planning to further their life and social skills. Skills training may include employment planning and programs to managing the transition to independence and recovery. Programming space in the building will facilitate training and support food preparation.
Other services to residents include outreach workers, wellness checks, connection and referral to community services and support groups. When residents are ready to move on to market housing, staff can help residents to view apartments and liaise with landlords to support stable tenancies.
How will this affect my property value?
The Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction at SFU published a study indicating that property values have not declined with proximity to supportive housing. The report looked at 18 different studies and found there was no significant effect on either the sales price of homes in the neighbourhood or on the number of sales. The Housing Ministry also looked at the impacts of seven social housing projects on neighbouring property values. The study demonstrated that social housing projects have not had a negative impact on the sale prices of nearby homes based on a comparison with a control area.
How will this impact crime in the area?
Our experience is that crime does not increase around supportive housing. Just like any other resident in a neighbourhood, supportive housing residents take pride in their homes and actively work with the staff in the building to watch out for unwelcome neighbourhood activity. See examples here.
How would people be selected?
BC Housing and Fraserside would lead the resident selection process, in collaboration with local service providers. All new residents would pay rent and sign a program agreement and good neighbour agreement.
A community advisory committee would be developed to support the successful integration of the new building and residents into the community, with representation from BC Housing, City of Surrey, Fraser Health, RCMP, local businesses, community organizations and community members.