The tight Lower Mainland rental market is putting the squeeze on people needing affordable housing, prompting a Port Coquitlam non-profit to put look for land and partners to build housing for people challenged with mental illness.
And the New View Society comes to the table far from empty-handed.
The long-running agency that provides vocational training, recreation, and housing supports for 600 Tri-City residents with a mental illness is hoping to leverage the value of its land holdings to provide seed money for 50 units of rental housing.
New View is launching its 50 Beds for 50 Years campaign in the hopes of building affordable rental units for its clients and others needing mental health support in time for the agency’s 50th anniversary in 2023.
Executive director Tiffany Melius said the timeline is short for such an endeavour but said the current housing crisis has created a sense of urgency, in part because it has clients in housing that is supposed to be transitional but has become permanent.
“Most of them are ready [for more independent living] but they can’t go anywhere else,” Melius said, noting that with provincial shelter allowances at $375 and a shortage of rental housing, many clients are staying put, limiting New View’s ability to house people who need support.
In a survey of its own real estate assets, which include six buildings it owns and operates with BC Housing, New View’s board of directors said it believes there are opportunities to maximize current holdings to build more units.
Aram Askarian, a volunteer director with New View, said the organization has a good reputation, helps keep people from falling through the cracks and, with more housing, could serve a greater number of Tri-City residents dealing with mental illness.
“We’re part of the community, not a sore thumb,” said Askarian, who is also the executive vice-president of Noura Construction Ltd.
New View is looking for land and partners to build the rental units, which could include developers looking to add non-profit rental into their developments, faith-based or non profit organizations, and other community service organizations with similar goals.
Askarian and Melius say the benefits to the community would be significant and far reaching if additional housing can be provided because one in five people have a diagnosed metal illness and could be struggling without support.
New View currently provides a variety of programs at its clubhouse and subsidizes rents of some of its clients, but a purpose-built apartment building that could include a food and meal service for those who need it as well as 24-hour support and help with medication would help those who face barriers to housing.
“By us helping this group, we help keep them from becoming homeless because they are housed and supported,” Melius said.
The agency is also working to raise community awareness and is encouraging individuals and businesses to donate or volunteer their time to support the cause. For more information, visit newviewsociety.org or follow them on Facebook.
