Affordable Housing / Homelessness Affordable Housing #1 priority – overlaps with other social issues addiciton, mental health & crime/ public safety Chilliwack Healthier Community Strategic Action Plan

Provincial Housing Strategy Framework for identifying different levels of housing need range from independent market housing to subsidized rental housing to fully funded supportive housing and housing for the homeless

City of Chilliwack Housing Strategy (2008) Mayor’s Housing Committee Partnerships Facilitator role Housing Strategy (2008) Housing Foundation Improve Market Affordability - development approvals Engage in Partnerships to Increase Supportive Housing Educate, advocate for increased access to affordable housing Mayor’s Committee Housing Needs Analysis Market Housing Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption Small Unit apartment DCCs (Corbould / Spadina project) Supportive Housing Property tax exemption – non profits or government housing DCC Waiver – non profits or government housing

Minimum household income to purchase (2010) Home Ownership Minimum household income to purchase (2010) Average household : $48,523 Average 1- person household: $26,092 Households earning < $50,000 10,829 1-person households < $50,000 4,790

Private Market Rental Average household income : $4043/month Improving market rentals / ownership - Small apartment DCC rate: apartments at Corbould & Spadina; Young Road Average household income : $4043/month Average one person household income $2174/month No. households that can’t afford 1 bedroom rent: approx. 5700

Rent Assistance Shelter Allowance (MHSD) Rent subsidies (BC Housing) $ 375 / month Rent subsidies (BC Housing) Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (60 yrs+) Rental Assistance Program (working families) Susbidies available, but don’t always bridge the affordability gap. Rental Assistance Program max rent for families of 3 or less is $900 (983-1000 rents); Families of 4 or more is $940. SAFER maximum rent level is $610 (single), $665 (couple), $975 shared Rent 1 brm $876 Shelter Assistance from MHSD = $375 (unit size 1); $570 (unit size 2); $660 (unit size 3)

“High Level” Supportive Housing Homeless Shelter Supportive Housing

Homelessness 2008 FVRD Homeless Count 465 homeless in FVRD 98 in Chilliwack 64% reported an addiction 32% addiction & other health problem 32% addiction only 33 % reported a mental illness 25% mental illness & other health problem 8% mental illness only Shelter – 12 beds at Salvation Army; temporary cold weather at R&N; recovery houses (?) Supportive Housing – mental health, sober clients Low Barrier Housing – for people with active addiction and or multiple health issues - none

At-risk of homelessness Income Assistance Shelter Assistance

At-risk of homelessness 5700 households in Chilliwack can’t afford to rent a one bedroom apartment 2350 Individuals on income & shelter allowance (2009) were struggling to make ends meet.

Supportive Housing Long-term housing with on-site supports for: Persons who were previously homeless Persons who are at risk of homelessness, Persons are affected by mental illness, or Persons who have or are recovering from drug or alcohol addictions Prevent Homelessness - Ranges from transitional housing for crisis stabilization to permanent supportive independent living. Key is to match needs of client with appropriate levels of service Residential care, congregate housing, group homes, block apartments and satellite apartments Inventory included in packages

Supportive Housing On-Site Supports: Health & Mental health services Health & Community support referrals Addiction services Employment and education services Job & Life Skills Training Counselling and Outreach services

Housing Needs Draft list In terms of determining housing needs, we’ve been working on a list Incomplete list – trying to put a number on what is needed…and who is involved

Projects – Current & Proposed More than emergency shelter