In partnership with the province of British Columbia, the city of Vancouver has committed to building 14 new social housing developments in an attempt to reduce homelessness. The building now going up just across from St Paul's Hospital on Burrard Street is the 10th project to be built on city owned land. When completed this 16 storey, 141 unit building will house homeless youth and adults. The building will be managed by the Kettle Friendship Society and Family Services of Greater Vancouver. Two floors of the building will house the Directions Youth Services Centre which will provide numerous services including counseling support, medical services, life skills programs and on-site peer support services for homeless youth and youth at-risk.
Other cities that have been successful in reducing homelessness include Toronto, Calgary, Portland and New York and Vancouver in using similar models hopes that these 14 developments will do the same here.
