Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The opening of a new supportive housing building and related shelter about one block of Young Road in Chilliwack has been delayed several months until spring 2024.
Supportive housing, shelter in Chilliwac

Opening of supportive housing building in Chilliwack, west of Young Road, delayed until 2024

Sep 21, 2023 | 1:30 PM

CHILLIWACK — The opening of a new supportive housing building and related shelter about one block west of Young Road in Chilliwack has been delayed several months until 2024.

According to an email Thursday afternoon from Tim Chamberlin, senior communications advisor for BC Housing, the new supportive housing building and shelter at 45857 Trethewey Avenue is now expected to open in spring 2024.

It previously had an opening date of fall 2023.

“Construction was initially expected to complete this past summer but it experienced a delay due to supply chain issues, including a delay of critical electrical components,” Chamberlin wrote in his email.

The project will provide 49 supportive homes and 42 permanent shelter spaces for people at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness, Chamberlin said in his email. The 49 supportive homes include up to 22 complex care housing spaces for vulnerable people who need a level of support that goes beyond the current housing model, Chamberlin wrote in his email to Fraser Valley Today.

Phoenix Society will operate the building and provide housing residents and shelter guests with daily meals, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services, and culturally appropriate supports for Indigenous residents. The complex care housing services will be delivered by Fraser Health in partnership with the Phoenix Society.

The building will have a common outdoor amenity area featuring a landscaped area, a sweat lodge, and rooftop deck. Of the 49 supportive housing units, 22 will be dedicated to people requiring complex care housing.

Jamie Leggatt, director of communications for the City of Chilliwack, indicated in February 2023 that BC Housing had advised city staff at that time that the building would be completed and open in the fall 2023.

Chilliwack City Council approved the issuance of a development permit for four properties on Rowat Avenue and one property on Trethewey Avenue, about one block west of Shandhar Hut, at its meeting on August 16, 2022.

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