ABBOTSFORD – New Democrat MLA Pam Alexis says first-of-its-kind complex-care housing will provide enhanced support for vulnerable people in Abbotsford beyond the current housing model.

“Complex-care housing means more vulnerable people in Abbotsford will get much-needed mental and physical health care where they live, so they can heal without worrying about eviction,” said Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission. “This new model will help us build a stronger, healthier community where people have what they need to thrive.”

Complex-care housing is a ground-breaking approach to address the needs of people who have overlapping mental-health challenges, substance-use issues, trauma and acquired brain injuries and who are often left to experience homelessness.

Abbotsford will be the location of one of the first four housing sites to use this model in B.C. In the coming months, 8 units of complex-care housing will open temporarily at the Red Lion, with the goal of moving to a permanent location in the future. The site will be operated by Lookout Housing.

The other three initial sites will be located in Surrey and Vancouver. In total, the four sites will serve approximately 100 people who need enhanced support beyond what is provided in existing supportive housing.

In addition to the resources already provided in supportive housing, the enhanced services available in complex-care housing will include physical, mental-health and substance-use care and social, emotional and community supports, which could include Indigenous cultural supports and food security support.

Complex-care housing is one part of the provincial homelessness strategy. The Government of B.C. worked with housing and health-system partners, Indigenous partners, people with lived experience and municipal governments to develop a complex-care housing framework and selection criteria for these sites.

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/26120