Surrey - 13939 104 Avenue

The Province, through BC Housing, is purchasing this hotel as part of a long-term plan to provide safe, warm homes with supports to address the critical needs of people experiencing homelessness in the lower mainland. 

Surrey is experiencing a housing crisis with 644 people experiencing homelessness in the last point-in-time count. This purchase will create warm, safe homes with supports for people experiencing homelessness in the community. These homes with supports are intended for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and further along in their recovery journey.  

BC Housing is committed to being good neighbours. All new supportive housing that we develop across the province provides a safe community both inside and outside the building. The most important security feature, both for residents and the community, is staffing. The building would have staff onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that residents are supported and that any concerns are addressed in the timely manner. 

People who experience homelessness are as varied as any other neighbour. They may be seniors, persons with disabilities, people who have employment but no housing, people who are working through mental health concerns and/or substance use. All residents in supportive housing have made a choice to work towards living a healthy, stable life.   

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 the housing. Every potential resident is considered on an individual basis to ensure that the housing and services provided by the program 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.   

A coordinated access table brings together people and partners (i.e. Fraser Health, BC Housing, community outreach services) who are working to assist potential residents in determining 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. 

BC Housing is committed to being good neighbours. The most important safety feature, both for residents and the community, is staffing. The building would have staff onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that residents are supported and that any concerns are addressed in the timely manner. 

There are schools in every community and many supportive housing sites are developed near schools. For more information please review this factsheet. 

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 the housing. Every potential resident is considered on an individual basis to ensure that the housing and services provided by the program 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.   

Residents would have an individual case plan and be expected to abide by it in addition to paying rent. The case plan would address expectations about appropriate and respectful behavior especially as it relates to the health and safety of themselves and others. Operational staff would work with residents and the neighbours to foster good neighbourhood relations. 

Many supportive housing sites for people experiencing homelessness across the province have been operating in their communities and near schools for 10+ years with no issues and with support from the community. There are over 210 provincially funded supportive housing sites across the province that are within 500 metres of a school, and 52% of provincially funded supportive housing sites in B.C. within 500 metres of schools have been operating for 10+ years.   

BC Housing is committed to being good neighbours and the safety of the residents, staff and surrounding community is a priority. . The most important safety feature, both for residents and the community, is staffing. The building would have staff onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that residents are supported and that any concerns are addressed in the timely manner.    

We all want safe neighbourhoods. This would be a purpose-built property and security measures would include well-lit and fenced grounds, extensive camera monitoring and a controlled single point of entry. Just like any other residence, if there are concerns with specific individuals coming on property or loitering around the property, the operator will work with City bylaw and police around potential solutions.    

A Community Advisory Committee will be created to support the successful integration of the building into the neighbourhood and community, with representation from BC Housing, Fraser Health, the City, Police Department, BIA/Chamber, any relevant community partners such as school district, service providers and community members at large.