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A new temporary modular housing complex was unveiled by Acting Mayor Alexa Loo.
Photo by Chung Chow
A modular home to call their own
In the spring sunshine, with a
simple gathering in the small parking lot just off Alderbridge Way, Richmond’s
first temporary supportive modular apartment building opened on Friday, April
12.
Speakers made it clear that the
Housing First policy provides a solid start for people struggling with physical
and mental health as they journey towards a better life and begin accessing
better opportunities in a healthy community.
Musqueam elder Cecilia Point
opened the proceedings with a traditional welcome.
Long a Richmond resident, with
children in school here, Point said she was happy Richmond was involved in this
development, continuing a long Musqueam tradition.
“I love the direction you are
going here. We have always looked after all our family,” she said.
The 40 units offer 24-hour care
to formerly homeless individuals, particularly those at high risk. Fifteen
women and 25 men will call this complex—of 275-square-foot bachelor apartments
with a large common room—home.
As the press and gathered
dignitaries toured the soon-to-open low-rise apartment building, one of the
manager’s dogs accepted cuddles from passers-by. The apartment building will be
pet friendly and have its own off-leash area.
This new apartment building
offers 24-hour, everyday-of-the-week staffing for the residents, many of whom
may have complex physical and/or mental health needs.
“Our entire community will
benefit from people moving off the street,” said Acting Mayor Alexa Loo.
Statistics looking at communities—before
and after the construction of housing for people living on the streets—shows
that supportive housing in itself provides solutions.
The gathered dignitaries were
clear: this is a great start. We need more supportive housing in Richmond
because there were enough applications for this one building to fill it twice
over.
Raincity Housing will manage the
private apartments, which will not be open to tours.
“There is still an urgent need to
build more of these homes,” Raincity’s co-executive director, Catharine Hume
said. “Thank you to people working to resolve homelessness in this community.”
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