Richmond – Smith Street - Supportive Housing

BC Housing and the City of Richmond worked together to create new temporary supportive housing for up to 40 people experiencing homelessness in the community. BC Housing applied for, and was successful in obtaining, a temporary use permit for these homes with supports located at 2520 - 2640 Smith Street (Aster Place).

Aster Place will operate for several years while the City and Province explore additional new housing opportunities for the community.

Supportive Housing

Aster Place is a three-storey modular building. These 40 new homes will help people to transition to more stable housing by offering them supportive environments where they are treated with dignity and respect.

These will be self-contained homes with a kitchenette and living spaces. Staff will be onsite 24/7 and provide professional support services to residents including:

• Meal programs
• Life skills training
• Employment skill training
• Access to health supports
• Referrals to other community services

Similar to other temporary modular housing projects, residents will have access to some indoor and outdoor amenity spaces. All residents will pay rent and will sign a program agreement.

According to the 2020 Homeless Count in Richmond, 85 people are experiencing homelessness, which represents a 21% increase since 2017

Operator

Community Builders will operate the modular supportive housing. Community Builders has been offering Support Housing Services and Property Management in Vancouver and surrounding areas since 2001. Their mandate is to foster empowerment and inclusion within communities. Currently, they operate more than 700 units — a combination of supportive and affordable housing, as well as four temporary shelters — across 13 sites.

Neighbourhood Engagement

BC Housing conducted an online survey from November 2 – 15, 2020, for the community to provide input and comments to the proposed plan. The temporary use permit application was then brought before Mayor and Council in March 2021 and a three-year temporary use permit was granted for the creation of 40 modular units of supportive housing at this location.

Project Updates