BC Housing and Fraser Health have partnered to build a mixed-care housing complex in Burnaby.
Ten mixed-care homes are coming to Burnaby to help people with the intersection of mental health, addiction and housing issues.
Now, BC Housing is asking the city to help it find suitable sites to build the housing as part of a collaborative program with Fraser Health.
Becky Doherty, Clinical Director of Mental Health and Substance Use at Fraser Health, said complex care homes have the ability to support adults with significant health issues, such as mental health or substance use issues. He said there is a medical facility attached.
Mr Dougherty told council late last month that the voluntary housing programme would provide enhanced comprehensive support services, including overnight care.
She said people taking part in the program are in critical condition.
“These are people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, struggling to get by day to day and unable to meet their medical needs,” Dougherty said.
She said one of the tasks of the coordinated multi-care team is to build trust and create a connection with individuals, and then get them to a place where they can address some of their medical needs and remain housed.
He said what sets Complex Care apart from other programs is the close collaboration between housing and health care providers.
“It's really integrated. It's one team working collaboratively with the individual,” she said, noting that on-site staff are trained in co-occurring disorders and cultural safety.
The staff includes nurses, social workers, cultural support workers and care aides who have the ability to connect people with psychiatrists and addiction medication, Dougherty said.
Naomi Brunemeyer, BC Housing's director of community development, said the provincial program funds the program's funding and operating costs.
BC Housing plans to lease or purchase land to develop and construct projects and then provide access to operating capital for property management services.
Brunemeyer said Fraser Health will “provide significant resources for clinical-based staff who are needed.”
She said Burnaby currently has a shelter program and two supportive housing programs.
“We believe that building more mixed-care housing is the next logical step to address the health and housing issues in the region,” she said, adding that it's the “missing piece” that BC Housing has been advocating for.
She asked Burnaby to take an inventory of land to see which properties could be offered long-term leases to the BC Housing Authority.
The project can also be incorporated as part of a larger housing programme, for example additional supportive housing.
Mr. Brunemeyer said housing providers will be selected through a competitive public bidding process.
She added that the BC Housing Authority plans to conduct a “robust” public participation process on the project.
Three other Fraser Health municipalities have also been earmarked for mixed-care housing: Abbotsford and Surrey will each receive 20 units, and New Westminster will receive 10.
In April, the province announced it would fund a total of 240 new mixed-care homes.
