In approximately two weeks, the new 50-bed, supportive and complex care housing project in Mission is set to open.
“Supportive housing is meant for people who just need a small amount, almost a light touch of support,” explained Nate McCready, executive director of Mission Community Services. “So reminders to make medical appointments, maybe reminders not to yell inside the building, reminders about paying their rent or meeting with their outreach worker.”
Located on Hurd Street, the facility will be staffed 24 hours a day and the building has 50 rooms, medical staff onsite, and a kitchen that provides two meals a day – which organizers hope will expand to three meals and a backyard area for people to gather.
“It will be nice for the neighbourhood. We should be able to blend in and not have any issues,” said McCready.
In order to stay at the new facility, a person has to either be homeless or have the threat of becoming homeless.“So we have no less than 17 people moving here who are housed right now. However, the housing is very precarious. So they are moving from that housing to this housing to get some permanency,” said McCready, adding that the facility staff may also work with some people who are coming straight out of “sleeping rough.”
McCready said the idea is to help people to make the adjustment from moving from living outside to moving inside, and work towards getting employment and eventually a place of their own.
They put together a case plan for each resident and keep revisiting it about every six months.
“There’s no time limit. Here we are looking at a more permanent stay,” said McCready.
Shawn Boulter, director of programs for Community Services, said the project has been “a long time coming.”
“We just want to be good neighbours in the community,” said Boulter.
Another aspect of the facility is that 12 of the 50 beds are for people who need complex care.
Fraser Health has an office on site and medical staff for the people who need a little more help.
“It’s for people that need more than just supportive housing, they are really concentrating on medical assistance,” said McCready.
Mission Community Services is always looking for more volunteers and donations. In fact, this year’s Christmas Bureau campaign is already gearing up and McCready said any help or donations are always appreciated.
