MLA Rice updates on accommodation for Angus Apartment residents, hopeful of some short term relief on housing at Crane's Crossing by summer/fall

MLA Jennifer Rice is hopeful that the pace of renovation
for Crane's Crossing could see some additional housing options 
in the community by the summer or fall of 2022

According the North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, the residents displaced as a result of the Angus Apartments fire have now found alternative accommodation.

A situation, which while not a perfect arrangement it would seem, is at least some kind of shelter during a challenging period of time when it comes to housing for the community.

As part of our research towards our Wednesday article on the Angus Apartment situation, we contacted the MLA to seek out some further notes on what may be available for both the Angus Apartment residents and others in the community.

In a correspondence, the MLA noted the following:

"ESS (Emergency Support Services) which is a municipal-lead program funded through the Province offers 72 hours of support (accommodations, meals, toiletries etc.) after an emergency such as a house fire. 

For the recipients receiving ESS support after Angus Apartments fire, supports such as hotel accommodation and meal per diems were extended until January 31st. 

My understanding is that the residents are no longer in hotel accommodations and have found housing solutions. 

Saying that, I understand some residents are staying with extended family which may not be a long-term housing solution for certain individual's needs. 

Many are still receiving support from local social service provider's and housing advocates which my office stays in contact with."

We followed up on that with some inquiries related to some housing themes 

And for the prospect of at least some upcoming relief on the housing situation in the community, the North Coast MLA made note of the progress at the Crane's Crossing facility at Five Corners in the city's downtown area.

"The units that are currently under construction at the old Raffles building now called Crane's Crossing are going to be the same type of supportive housing units at the Crow's Nest Lodge on Park avenue. 

So there will be two parts to Crane's Crossing - A nightly shelter which is currently open and supportive housing which is under construction right now. 

The estimated time for completion is this summer according to BC Housing but  considering there were some structural challenges I wouldn't be surprised if that was pushed into the fall."

Ms Rice also outlined a range of Provincial programs that are available locally as well as across the province related to housing themes.

BC Housing Homeless Prevention Program  

BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters

BC Housing Rental Assistance Program

Canada/BC Housing Benefit

Moving, Transportation and Living Costs program

For communities looking to address their housing situations, the MLA noted of the UBCM led Strengthening Communities Services program

Towards that initiative, Ms. Rice outlined how the program has evolved since its creation:

It provides local governments and modern Treaty Nations additional capacity to support vulnerable people and help keep them safe and healthy during the ongoing pandemic $100M fund invests in community-led projects Administered by the Union of B.C. Municipalities on behalf of the province – applications accepted until April 2022 with approvals expected in Summer 2022

She also shared some notes on the province's work on new housing models to support British Columbians with complex challenges.

That initiative has been described by the government as a first-of-its-kind housing program will soon be available for British Columbia’s most vulnerable people who need a level of support that goes beyond the current housing model. 

It is designed to address the needs of people who have overlapping mental-health, substance-use issues, trauma, and acquired brain injuries It is also anticipated to provide an enhanced level of integrated health and social supports that serve people where they live 

To learn more about those programs, you can contact the MLA's office to explore some of those options if applicable to your situation.

While it's a positive thing to hear that the Crane's Crossing renovation project is moving ahead after some significant delays, those units will be just a small step towards solving some of the housing woes in Prince Rupert.

While other projects such as the Lax Kw'alaams led housing on 11th Avenue East and BC Housings plans for McKay Street will also help reduce the current shortage, there still would seem to be a need in a shorter term for some kind of additional space.

MLA Rice, Mayor Lee Brain were part of the official opening
for the Crows Nest Lodge in March of 2019

So, perhaps the MLA, BC Housing and the City might all want to get together and see if there's not an opportunity for a similar structure in the community such as the Crow's Nest Lodge which was constructed on Park Avenue by March of 2019 and quickly filled up its 36 units  with those requiring supportive housing.

Something that would make for a temporary bit of additional housing stock on city supplied land, as a cushion to the current situation,  while the larger more permanent housing solutions come to fruition.

 

It's at least worth a public discussion to see if possible and to show the community that housing issues continue to remain high on the agenda from the area's elected officials.

More notes on the MLA's time in Victoria can be reviewed here.

A look at housing themes in the area can be explored from our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.