Maple Ridge: A Place to Call Home
Consultation has concluded
Maple Ridge Dialogues
BC Housing hosted three community dialogues in February 2021 to provide information about the housing continuum in the community and to share in a dialogue of the partnerships available among service providers and government agencies. These are a few of the key themes that we heard in Series 1:
- Youth and Seniors Housing – Affordable and safe seniors and youth housing was discussed in all dialogue series. Inclusive housing communities with a focus on youth and seniors were identified as a need in Maple Ridge.
- Collaborative Partnerships – In all dialogue series, a need was recognized for more collaborative partnerships with service providers and municipal government to expand housing options, service and amenities in the community.
- Opportunity – There was agreement that the community wants to support those in Maple Ridge who are experiencing challenges around homelessness. BC Housing will continue to share information on how to increase the housing options (and associated funding) and to build trust within the community.
During the month of April, we had planned a second series to engage in a deeper dialogue with the community and community partners on housing type specific topics that we heard through feedback in Series 1.
Due to low community registration we will be adjusting the format of the dialogue sessions. We feel it is very important to continue the conversation with the community of Maple Ridge, and we have reached out to those individuals who registered in order to have fulsome one-on-one discussions. These community members will still have the chance to share their ideas, ask questions and be a part of ongoing plans for housing in Maple Ridge.
If you have questions or comments about housing in Maple Ridge, please continue to use this space for so we may continue to work together to shape long-term BC Housing planning in Maple Ridge. We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A tool or by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.
Maple Ridge Dialogues
BC Housing hosted three community dialogues in February 2021 to provide information about the housing continuum in the community and to share in a dialogue of the partnerships available among service providers and government agencies. These are a few of the key themes that we heard in Series 1:
- Youth and Seniors Housing – Affordable and safe seniors and youth housing was discussed in all dialogue series. Inclusive housing communities with a focus on youth and seniors were identified as a need in Maple Ridge.
- Collaborative Partnerships – In all dialogue series, a need was recognized for more collaborative partnerships with service providers and municipal government to expand housing options, service and amenities in the community.
- Opportunity – There was agreement that the community wants to support those in Maple Ridge who are experiencing challenges around homelessness. BC Housing will continue to share information on how to increase the housing options (and associated funding) and to build trust within the community.
During the month of April, we had planned a second series to engage in a deeper dialogue with the community and community partners on housing type specific topics that we heard through feedback in Series 1.
Due to low community registration we will be adjusting the format of the dialogue sessions. We feel it is very important to continue the conversation with the community of Maple Ridge, and we have reached out to those individuals who registered in order to have fulsome one-on-one discussions. These community members will still have the chance to share their ideas, ask questions and be a part of ongoing plans for housing in Maple Ridge.
If you have questions or comments about housing in Maple Ridge, please continue to use this space for so we may continue to work together to shape long-term BC Housing planning in Maple Ridge. We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A tool or by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.
Guidelines for constructive and respectful dialogue
- Please ensure your question is clear, concise, relevant to the project, and respectful.
- Review our moderation policy. Questions that do not abide by the moderation policy or guidelines for respectful dialogue may not be answered.
- We expect everyone will refrain from using language or acting in a way that is discriminating, threatening, abusive, racist or otherwise disrespectful. Discrimination or abusive language of any kind will not be tolerated.
- Your question will appear once our team has answered it. If your question has already been answered, we may respond privately.
-
What about the Aged Out Youth to find permanent housing and young mother and children.
Paula asked about 3 years agoThank you for providing your perspective and priorities on housing in Maple Ridge. We agree that there are a wide range of housing needs in the community.
These meetings are an opportunity for dialogue between BC Housing, community partners and members of the community. BC Housing wants to hear from the community on what they believe are the housing priorities for Maple Ridge.
Once we have a better understanding of the community’s perspective on housing, we will work with local partners and government to determine the next steps forward to address the urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge.
-
Does the temporary modular housing on Royal Crescent still have an end date of October 2021? Will the location be turned into affordable housing like the original plan?
A.K.Sop. asked about 3 years agoThe residents of Royal Crescent continue to need supportive housing in Maple Ridge. BC Housing is working with the community to find a new location for this supportive housing. We will then work with the City of Maple Ridge to consider the next steps for affordable housing at the Royal Crescent site.
-
If there is any talk about more "supportive housing", I would encourage staff to review how the supportive housing on Lougheed hwy next to the caring place has impacted the neighbourhood and children living in the neighbourhood. We have contacted CMH, had meetings with the manager (Which was a total waste of time.) We have been on committees and vocalized strength based solutions until the cows come home, all suggestions falling on deaf ears....SO my question is...How does this community engagement process have any impact at all? We have been proactively involved spinning our wheels for more than 10 years on this issue, shown up to multiple town hall events, committees etc...so when I see that BC Housing is asking for community engagement it's just another level of smoke and mirrors in Maple Ridge and personally I feel like they could care less on what the residents think. Maybe engage the children and teens of MRidge next and get some perspective on how BC Housing has impacted them in their community... and how everyone's PTSD has surfaced. I can't attend your sessions as I work at those times but my 2 cents is that we don't have a lot of faith in BC housing and their ability to "listen" to communities based on past experiences with them and their subcontractors. This is a ripple effect and some of the practices are causing more harm than good in the community and that is affecting our communities mental health as a whole. We need more proactive holistic approaches to get people to heal. Watch the new documentary on youtube, created to explain the life of one of our familiar street people and her family. It's called killing my sister. The video image is black and white when you search it. I encourage you to watch. It speaks volumes.
not ok asked about 3 years agoThese meetings are an opportunity for dialogue between BC Housing, community partners and members of the community. BC Housing wants to hear from the community on what they believe are the housing priorities for Maple Ridge.
There is an urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge for people experiencing homelessness. People who experience homelessness are as varied and different as any other neighbour. They may be seniors, people with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use.
Once people have a home, they are no longer homeless and can begin working towards a more stable and healthy life.
Once we have a better understanding of the community’s perspective on housing, we will work with local partners and government to determine the next steps forward to address the urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge.
-
Senior housing is really important. No more low barrier housing. Housing first is not working.
Jmbbc asked about 3 years agoThank you for providing your perspective and priorities on housing in Maple Ridge. We agree that seniors housing is important.
In 2019-2020 BC Housing provided 565 households with housing supports for seniors in Maple Ridge. This includes supportive housing, subsidized housing, and rental assistance in the private market.
We know there is more to do.
These meetings are an opportunity for dialogue between BC Housing, community partners and members of the community. BC Housing wants to hear from the community on what they believe are the housing priorities for Maple Ridge.
There is an urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge for people experiencing homelessness. People who experience homelessness are as varied and different as any other neighbour. They may be seniors, people with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use.
Once people have a home, they are no longer homeless and can begin working towards a more stable and healthy life.
Once we have a better understanding of the community’s perspective on housing, we will work with local partners and government to determine the next steps forward to address the urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge.
-
What kind of housing are you considering and where will it be built?
Anne asked about 3 years agoThese meetings are an opportunity for dialogue between BC Housing, community partners and members of the community. BC Housing wants to hear from the community on what they believe are the housing priorities for Maple Ridge.
Once we have a better understanding of the community’s perspective on housing, we will work with local partners and government to determine the next steps forward to address the urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge.
-
If BC Housing continues to give addicts and mentally ill accommodations, will there be assurances that these residents will receive treatment and services and not just forever housed and supported while causing harm to themselves and the community. I speak specifically of the addicts and thieves that continue to rob and harass our community with many being guests of BC Housing. It is sad to see seniors and true homeless going without assistance while addicts and thieves are continually being handed everything to keep them addicted and stealing without treatment or consequences. How many hotels need to burn down before BC housing stops enabling. Housing first sounds great except there doesn’t seem to be anything happening second to that except to keep people addicted to drugs and criminal activity under the roof of BC Housing.
Lisa Charlton asked about 3 years agoPeople who experience homelessness are as varied and different as any other neighbour. They may be seniors, people with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use. Labeling people who have experienced homelessness as criminals or people who use substances stereotypes and marginalizes vulnerable people.
In 2019-2020 BC Housing provided 565 households with housing supports for seniors in Maple Ridge. This includes supportive housing, subsidized housing, and rental assistance in the private market.
We know there is more to do.
There is an urgent need for safe and secure housing for people experiencing homelessness in Maple Ridge. Once people have a home, they are no longer homeless and can begin to work towards a more healthy and stable life.
We take a harm reduction approach, which means staff is available to support any residents who are in various phases of substance use and buildings would be set up with the ability to provide a safe space for residents only, to ensure the safety of residents who are active substance users.
Harm reduction acknowledges that many people may not be in a position to remain abstinent. The harm reduction approach meets people where they are at and provides an option to engage with peers, medical and social services in a non-judgmental way.
The overarching goal of the harm reduction approach is to prevent the negative consequences of substance use and to improve health. Harm reduction approaches and programming are seen as a best practice for engaging with individuals with substance use issues.
The operator would work with Fraser Health in determining best practices to ensure tenants are safe and healthy.
When residents are ready to make a change, staff on site would connect them with the appropriate support services.
-
Please no more housing for people with addiction to drug issues. I’d rather the money going towards housing for addiction to go towards treatment of addiction for the ones it all ready houses. I would also like to see affordable seniors housing and or affordable housing for the homeless that are not addicted to drugs.
Tory asked about 3 years agoThank you for providing your perspective and priorities on housing in Maple Ridge.
In 2019-2020 BC Housing provided 565 households with housing supports for seniors in Maple Ridge. This includes supportive housing, subsidized housing, and rental assistance in the private market.
We know there is more to do.
These meetings are an opportunity for dialogue between BC Housing, community partners and members of the community. BC Housing wants to hear from the community on what they believe are the housing priorities for Maple Ridge.
There is an urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge for people experiencing homelessness. People who experience homelessness are as varied and different as any other neighbour. They may be seniors, people with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use.
Once we have a better understanding of the community’s perspective on housing, we will work with local partners and government to determine the next steps forward to address the urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge.
-
There's lot's of opposition to supportive housing for the homeless in Maple Ridge coming from the mayor and his supporters on council and in the community. What if anything is the province/BC Housing doing to create more supportive housing in Maple Ridge?
Unionwill asked about 3 years agoThese meetings are an opportunity for dialogue between BC Housing, community partners and members of the community. BC Housing wants to hear from the community on what they believe are the housing priorities for Maple Ridge.
A report from the dialogues session will be provided to the City of Maple Ridge as we continue to work with partners and government to determine the next steps forward to address the urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge.
Once we have a better understanding of the community’s perspective on housing, we will work with local partners and government to determine the next steps forward to address the urgent need for safe and secure housing in Maple Ridge.
-
BC Housing has presented a Housing First model in our community without any guidance, funding, supports and/or resources. Maple Ridge has been negatively impacted by new residents who have many issues of addiction and mental health issues, and are not able to function in a supported housing environment because their issues are being ignored by the province. How do you expect the city and residents to manage these presenting issues within their community?
Suzanne asked about 3 years agoThe Housing First model prioritizes getting people into safe and secure housing. Once people have a home, they are no longer homeless and can begin to work towards a more healthy and stable life.
BC Housing ensures that all supportive housing has the appropriate funding and supports to set up residents for success. Supportive housing tailors the services available to the residents in the building to ensure all residents have the support they need.
BC Housing collaborates with local service providers on a thoughtful and thorough assessment process to ensure an appropriate mix of residents with the right supports live in housing buildings.
Every potential resident is considered on an individual basis to ensure that the services provided in the housing match the support services that they need, such as life skills training, employment assistance, and help with accessing a range of social and health care services
BC Housing and partners assess all applicants for suitability. Suitability considers vulnerability in the community, neighbourhood considerations, accessibility to services, the housing operators’ experience and mandates - all in the interest of creating a balanced mix tenancy that will support successful operation and tenancies.
-
Finland has adopted the Housing First model to eradicate homelessness, in which, they are achieving success. They are successful because they have built dwellings for the homeless and have supports of professional housing social workers to assess their needs and identify resources and supports that will help them. The Finnish Homelessness Strategy (2015) states that the Housing First model is not a solution for the homeless that need a lot of support. In fact, it is important to increase awareness of the reasons why the Housing First model did not work for a small minority. This is one of the main concerns for Maple Ridge residents. Since the Maple Ridge Supportive Housing on Royal Crescent, our community has seen a high rise of people using drugs on the streets, people sitting on park benches looking like they have overdosed, people sitting in front of businesses which scare local consumers away...the list goes on and on. BC Housing directly caused a negative impact in this community because of their supportive housing initiatives without funding proper housing guidance, adequate professional social workers, and/or resources. Provincially, we need to have a wellness centre where homeless people can go, to be temporarily housed while they are having their needs assessed. A one stop shop resource centre (includes policing, temporary housing, detox, medical, etc) for individuals who are homeless, have addiction and/or mental health issues. Once a customized plan is complete by the individual and their social worker, the individual can be re-integrated back into the community, placed in subsidized housing with continued supports. Would BC Housing fund a Provincial Wellness Centre that could be the initial point of contact for a homeless person?
Suzanne asked about 3 years agoThank you for you for providing your perspective on housing priorities in Maple Ridge.
These meetings are an opportunity for dialogue between BC Housing, community partners and members of the community. BC Housing wants to hear from the community on what they believe are the housing priorities for Maple Ridge.
BC Housing is committed to finding safe and secure homes for people experiencing homelessness.
Housing for people experiencing homelessness needs to meet people where they are at, providing connection to the resources that people need to work towards living a healthy, stable life.
Access to community services and transit is key for people without homes, but so is feeling part of a neighbourhood, which is essential for people who are working towards a healthy, stable life.
We take a harm reduction approach, which means staff is available to support any residents who are in various phases of substance use and buildings would be set up with the ability to provide a safe space for residents only, to ensure the safety of residents who are active substance users.
Harm reduction acknowledges that many people may not be in a position to remain abstinent. The harm reduction approach meets people where they are at and provides an option to engage with peers, medical and social services in a non-judgmental way.
The overarching goal of the harm reduction approach is to prevent the negative consequences of substance use and to improve health. Harm reduction approaches and programming are seen as a best practice for engaging with individuals with substance use issues.
The operator would work with Fraser Health in determining best practices to ensure tenants are safe and healthy.
When residents are ready to make a change, staff on site would connect them with the appropriate support services.
