Latest news with #supportivehousing
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
B.C. Housing Minister expresses concern after Vancouver abandons controversial supportive-housing project
British Columbia's housing minister says he is concerned about the future of supportive-housing projects in Vancouver after the city quashed construction plans in a west-side neighbourhood amid a legal battle with residents over the rezoning changes. The rezoning for the 129-unit, 13-storey project in Kitsilano was rescinded April 30, after a consent order between a local residents' group and the city essentially overturned a 2022 approval. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said he was surprised by the city's decision to abandon fighting a lawsuit the Kitsilano Coalition for Children and Family Safety Society had brought claiming the city's public-hearing process for the rezoning was flawed. 'If you don't want concentrations of supportive housing, but then you don't want them in Kits, where do you put people?' he said. Vancouver abandons controversial supportive-housing project in Kitsilano Earlier this week, Mayor Ken Sim told The Globe that the city is trying to work with the province on finding alternative sites, where two 40- to 60-unit projects could be built that fit in better with the neighbourhoods. Supportive housing provides units to low-income people the way social housing does, but also helps with drug addiction, mental-health counselling, medical visits, lifeskills training and more. Mr. Kahlon said the province is willing to work with the city but hasn't seen any 'credible' alternatives so far. 'It is frustrating but we're going back to the drawing board to find alternative sites,' he said, though he added that the province isn't about to buy out any private-rental development currently on offer as city officials have suggested. It's also unfair for some neighbourhoods to declare they're only interested in housing for seniors or other groups they have decided are less problematic, Mr. Kahlon said. The city's move has generated significant reaction, with many supporters saying the site was problematic because it was across the street from a private Catholic elementary school, too close to a women's rehab centre and would have resulted in too many troubled people in one place. Supporters have also criticized the province for trying to force disruptive new housing that they claim would be dominated by drug users into every community. 'This housing, in this location, was not appropriate and the community spoke,' said David Fine, a filmmaker who is a frequent commenter on Kitsilano housing issues on X. 'No one is against some form of social or supportive housing there, just not what was being proposed. In this case, Sim made the right decision.' However, several housing advocates, non-profit housing providers and city councillors are appalled by the move. 'It's a very scary, telling direction that this council is going. We definitely recognize this is going in the wrong direction,' said Donna-Lynn Rosa, CEO of Atira Women's Resources Society, which runs multiple supportive-housing buildings in the city. 'Less housing, less options is not the solution. We're just concerned about these motions that seem reckless.' BC Housing applied to the city four years ago for a rezoning for the building, saying it would provide accessible supportive housing for the many homeless people living in Kitsilano's parks, on its beaches, or near storefronts. But thousands of residents expressed concerns that it would draw new drug users and crime to the area and allow for open drug use right across from the school. OneCity Vancouver Councillor Lucy Maloney said she is going to do whatever she can to support work at city hall to approve supportive housing, after hearing during her recent election campaign that improving the situation for homeless people was one of voters' top three priorities. 'I have to assess the best way to address the problem that Vancouverites said was their top concern,' she said. Ms. Maloney said she was surprised that she learned the news through the Kitsilano residents' newsletter instead of from the city itself. The decision to abandon the legal fight was made during an in-camera vote earlier this year before new councillors Ms. Maloney and COPE's Sean Orr were sworn in. Prominent drug-policy advocate Guy Felicella, a former drug user who champions better treatment and harm reduction, called the move 'NIMBYism at is finest,' noting that city residents are constantly calling on the province for more resources to get people off the streets but then reject providing housing for them.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Supportive housing Monarch Apartments has positive impact in first few months after opening
DES MOINES, Iowa — Anawim Housing broke ground on a supportive housing site at the old Days Inn off of Merle Hay Road in 2023, and in the spring of 2025, it finally saw its first residents. To live at the Monarch Apartments, residents must have experienced long-term homelessness and a form of disability. The one- and two-bedroom apartments come furnished, which includes furniture, bedding, towels, and kitchen utensils. These units act as a next step toward normal housing, meaning residents follow regular rental rules. Anawim says giving the residents guidelines and structure is vital. 'Trying to get them acclimated to the apartment, the expectations, the lease, you know, the rules of the lease, things like that, getting them to trust the live-in staff in my absence,' said Margo Miller, Monarch Apartment Senior Program Manager. New tactile mural, sensory wellness space helps Ruby Van Meter students find calm The live-in staff are two tenants who have previous shared experiences and now provide guidance to new residents. On-site staff says residents have already grown and bonded in the first few months. 'I see people, you know, eat together, go knock on each other's apartment and be like hey you want some pizza, you know, I mean different things like that, or they'll have extra things they want to donate, and they want to share and seeing them build that community,' said Latisha Williams, one of the Monarch live-in staff. Residents at Monarch have worked with Anawim and health services previously and still receive help, but staff say some still struggle. Anawim says the live-in staff and supportive housing are what benefit residents the most. 'Even the days that are not so good, I wouldn't necessarily call them bad days. Those are days of growth where we can meet people right where they're at and then maybe help point them in the direction that takes them away from whatever problem it is that they're having,' said Angela Cabrera, one of the Monarch live-in staff. Golfers get practice in pro-am before Principal Charity Classic Round 1 begins Friday During their time, residents will take part in communal meals, schedule social activities, and work on personal goals. This helps them gain stability and independence. 'Ideally in three years, maybe some of these people will be so stable that they don't need single supported housing anymore, you know, that they can move out, buy their own house, rent a different unit, whatever so we can bring more people,' said Miller. Half of the Monarch's residents moved in in March, the other half are expected to move in in the coming months. Anawim is hopeful that the Monarch and its residents will flourish and possibly become a model for future supportive housing projects. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Demolition set to begin at future site of Donna Terrell's Warrior Lodge
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. – Demolition is about to begin at the future home of Donna Terrell's Warrior Lodge at Jefferson Regional, a no-cost temporary residence for cancer patients and their caregivers undergoing long-term treatment. While today was all about the photo opportunity, the real work begins in just a few days. This project is a joint effort between the Yoga Warriors nonprofit and Jefferson Regional's Jones-Dunklin Cancer Center. Due to rising construction costs, the partners pivoted from building a brand-new facility to repurposing the former School of Nursing building on the campus of Jefferson Regional. The move allows the team to remain responsible stewards of the generous donations received so far. The Warrior Lodge will be the first facility of its kind in southeast Arkansas, providing a supportive, cost-free place for patients and caregivers to stay during treatment. Yoga Warriors will oversee daily operations, including staffing and programming. Demolition is expected to last three weeks, after which construction will begin. Yoga Warriors rely on community support and donations to bring the vision to life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Family of woman found dead at Surrey, B.C., supportive housing facility calls for change
The son of a B.C. woman whose body sat in a supportive housing unit for 11 days before being discovered was at the legislature Wednesday. Diane Chandler was battling depression and addiction issues when she moved into Surrey's Foxglove housing, where her children believed she would be safe.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
B.C. family says supportive housing failed mother
Vancouver Watch A grieving family is searching for answers after learning a woman's body went undiscovered for 11 days after her death in a supportive housing building.
