Abbotsford – 2270 Martens Street

Aerial view of Martens Street and Trans-Canada Highway with a green pin near trees, homes, and a grassy field.


BC Housing is proposing to build 42 units of temporary modular housing with supports at 2270 Martens Street (Martens Park).

Based on community feedback, BC Housing and Connective have updated this housing program to focus on supporting older adults and seniors (versus all adults 19+) who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Abbotsford.

Housing program update

The updated program would offer the temporary housing at Martens Park to older adults (45+) and seniors (55+) who have expressed interest in longer-term housing and a desire to live outside Abbotsford’s Downtown area. Connective would provide more seniors-focused services and supports.

To better serve these residents, we would set up a shuttle service. This would help people more easily and safely access services, shops and other amenities in Abbotsford. It would also reduce foot traffic in the immediate neighbourhood.

BC Housing and Connective have updated the housing program based on the feedback from neighbours and in consultation with the City of Abbotsford.

About the housing

This housing would be in place temporarily as we continue to build more permanent supportive homes in the community.

Each unit would be a private room with a locking door. The site would also offer shared bathroom, laundry and kitchen/dining facilities.

Support services would be available to housing residents only. They would include:

  • 24/7 staffing
  • Daily meals
  • Healthcare referrals and wellness checks
  • Outreach, case management, cultural supports
  • Connection and referral to community services or support groups

Operator

BC Housing has selected Connective to manage the building and provide services. Connective is a non-profit housing operator with a long history of service. They provide innovative, person-centred support across BC and the Yukon. They offer a range of housing, life skills, outreach, employment, and community-based services. Their goal is to assist individuals to achieve greater independence.

BC Housing and Connective are committed to building positive and responsive relationships with neighbours and addressing any concerns quickly and collaboratively. BC Housing intends to enter into a Housing Agreement with the City of Abbotsford. This agreement will include provisions outlining expectations for operating the housing facility. Some notable conditions would include:

  • Sharing direct contact information for neighbours to reach housing staff
  • Forming a Good Neighbour Committee with partners to establish open lines of communication and support the initial transition for up to the first four months
  • Collaborating with the City of Abbotsford, as well as other municipal, health and law enforcement agencies to address any issues beyond the housing site

Substance use in the housing

During our community engagement, we heard that many neighbours have questions and concerns about substance use in the temporary housing. We would like to share the following to help build understanding on this topic:

  • We would not deny this housing to people who may use substances. Not all temporary housing residents use substances. Housing staff will not supply illicit or illegal substances to residents.
  • The design of this building includes a space where staff can offer various health-related services to the residents. These can include harm reduction and overdose prevention services. This space would be available to residents only. It would not be open to the public.
  • Housing is crucial in a person’s health journey. After a person has their own private room, access to clean washrooms and daily meals, they are in a much better position to improve their well-being. For residents who use substances, Connective would provide linkages to stabilization and recovery services as is appropriate based on the person’s health and wellness goals.
  • Harm reduction is also an important life-saving health care practice, especially in the current toxic drug crisis. People using substances alone or outside does not benefit communities and often leads to tragic outcomes.

Connect with us

A caring community can contribute greatly to the well-being of the residents. We appreciate the interest and care that community members have shown in this project. BC Housing and Connective will continue to share updates. We will keep lines of communication open throughout this project.

BC Housing has prepared a summary of our communications and engagement as well as the feedback we have received thus far. We have shared this summary with the City of Abbotsford. It is available for download via the link in the sidebar.

We welcome questions about the housing development by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.

For questions about the housing program and operations, please email communications@connective.ca.


BC Housing is proposing to build 42 units of temporary modular housing with supports at 2270 Martens Street (Martens Park).

Based on community feedback, BC Housing and Connective have updated this housing program to focus on supporting older adults and seniors (versus all adults 19+) who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Abbotsford.

Housing program update

The updated program would offer the temporary housing at Martens Park to older adults (45+) and seniors (55+) who have expressed interest in longer-term housing and a desire to live outside Abbotsford’s Downtown area. Connective would provide more seniors-focused services and supports.

To better serve these residents, we would set up a shuttle service. This would help people more easily and safely access services, shops and other amenities in Abbotsford. It would also reduce foot traffic in the immediate neighbourhood.

BC Housing and Connective have updated the housing program based on the feedback from neighbours and in consultation with the City of Abbotsford.

About the housing

This housing would be in place temporarily as we continue to build more permanent supportive homes in the community.

Each unit would be a private room with a locking door. The site would also offer shared bathroom, laundry and kitchen/dining facilities.

Support services would be available to housing residents only. They would include:

  • 24/7 staffing
  • Daily meals
  • Healthcare referrals and wellness checks
  • Outreach, case management, cultural supports
  • Connection and referral to community services or support groups

Operator

BC Housing has selected Connective to manage the building and provide services. Connective is a non-profit housing operator with a long history of service. They provide innovative, person-centred support across BC and the Yukon. They offer a range of housing, life skills, outreach, employment, and community-based services. Their goal is to assist individuals to achieve greater independence.

BC Housing and Connective are committed to building positive and responsive relationships with neighbours and addressing any concerns quickly and collaboratively. BC Housing intends to enter into a Housing Agreement with the City of Abbotsford. This agreement will include provisions outlining expectations for operating the housing facility. Some notable conditions would include:

  • Sharing direct contact information for neighbours to reach housing staff
  • Forming a Good Neighbour Committee with partners to establish open lines of communication and support the initial transition for up to the first four months
  • Collaborating with the City of Abbotsford, as well as other municipal, health and law enforcement agencies to address any issues beyond the housing site

Substance use in the housing

During our community engagement, we heard that many neighbours have questions and concerns about substance use in the temporary housing. We would like to share the following to help build understanding on this topic:

  • We would not deny this housing to people who may use substances. Not all temporary housing residents use substances. Housing staff will not supply illicit or illegal substances to residents.
  • The design of this building includes a space where staff can offer various health-related services to the residents. These can include harm reduction and overdose prevention services. This space would be available to residents only. It would not be open to the public.
  • Housing is crucial in a person’s health journey. After a person has their own private room, access to clean washrooms and daily meals, they are in a much better position to improve their well-being. For residents who use substances, Connective would provide linkages to stabilization and recovery services as is appropriate based on the person’s health and wellness goals.
  • Harm reduction is also an important life-saving health care practice, especially in the current toxic drug crisis. People using substances alone or outside does not benefit communities and often leads to tragic outcomes.

Connect with us

A caring community can contribute greatly to the well-being of the residents. We appreciate the interest and care that community members have shown in this project. BC Housing and Connective will continue to share updates. We will keep lines of communication open throughout this project.

BC Housing has prepared a summary of our communications and engagement as well as the feedback we have received thus far. We have shared this summary with the City of Abbotsford. It is available for download via the link in the sidebar.

We welcome questions about the housing development by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.

For questions about the housing program and operations, please email communications@connective.ca.