50 new supportive housing units soon to open in PG

A new building offering supportive housing in Prince George is set to open its doors near the end of the month just down the street from PG’s new sobering centre.

The structure on 160 Ontario Street will offer 50 supportive housing units, and have a range of services from Connective, the company that will be operating the building.

“This here is 50 units of supportive housing, this here is about to change a number of people’s lives. We’re giving them the opportunity to have housing, to have places where they can start to appreciate having their own place, being able to guide their own light with the supports that will be provided by Connective,” said Malachy Tohill, Regional Director for BC Housing.

“I’ve been in this game a real long time, and it’s wonderful every time we get to make changes in people’s lives, and see how they can change, see how they can flourish, and at the very bare minimum, which is actually quite a bit, is just to have a better quality of life. A place that they can call their own, a place that’s home.”

This is the first of three stages planned to be developed for the site, with construction beginning next year on:

• 50 affordable rental homes for Indigenous Peoples and families;
• 50 additional supportive homes; and
• a healthcare clinic ran by Northern Health.

“We recognize that access to secure housing is crucial in allowing people to overcome complex and intersectional barriers. We look forward to bringing our local leadership’s knowledge of the community and our history delivering person-centred, culturally appropriate programs to this exciting program,” said Mark Miller, CEO for Connective.

“Council is pleased this ongoing partnership continues to see positive results for our community. The collective efforts of BC Housing, Northern Health and the City of Prince George is bringing critical housing and health services to our vulnerable citizens with complex needs,” said Mayor Lyn Hall.