Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson (Image Credit: Flickr / Government of BC)

By Stephanie Swensrude

Complex care

Complex-care housing locations to support nearly 100 of B.C.’s most vulnerable

Jan 20, 2022 | 1:50 PM

VICTORIA — Four complex-care housing locations opening in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver will provide 98 new spaces, supporting people with overlapping mental health, substance abuse, trauma and brain injury challenges.

This comes after a renewed call from the B.C. Urban Mayors Caucus (BCUMC) to provide complex care housing solutions to deal with vulnerable populations.

Complex-care housing helps connect vulnerable people with additional supports to manage factors that may contribute to homelessness. The model of housing integrates with the health care system with direct connections to treatment and specialized nurses, social workers and other professionals.

“The current housing system is not working for those with serious mental-health and addiction issues who cycle in and out of shelters, jail and emergency rooms,” said B.C. Housing Minister David Eby.

The housing locations will provide various health, personal and job supports. There will be Indigenous cultural supports available as well.

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The BCUMC said in a statement they are pleased to see the province taking “important first steps” to support communities and vulnerable residents. They hope to see the program expanded.

“While this announcement of 98 new complex care spaces is much welcomed and has been highly anticipated, many of our communities across B.C. are still in critical need to see this model in place,” said the caucus in a statement.

The BCUMC outlined four key priorities in their Blueprint for British Columbia’s Urban Future: mental health, substance abuse and treatment; affordable housing; public transit; and a new fiscal framework.