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New Opportunities in Surrey and Vancouver

We’re honoured to announce that we're been selected to operate two BC Housing supportive housing developments that will welcome tenants in Summer 2022

View of Lions Gate Bridge surrounded by greenery, with the sea and forest in Vancouver, BC

Today we’re excited to share some information on two recent housing-related announcements!

 

In Surrey, we have been selected through a competitive process by BC Housing to operate a new 26-unit supportive housing development. This development will support those in the North Surrey community who are or are at-risk of experiencing homelessness, and will offer 24/7 support to residents. Supports that will be available include:

 

  •  Individual and/or group support services such as life skills, community information, and social and recreational programs
  • Assistance connecting with community supports and services such as education, employment, health, life skills, and independent housing (where applicable)
  • Assistance obtaining Income Assistance, Pension Benefits, Disability Benefits, a BC Identification Card, or establishing a bank account
  • Access to two meals per day
  • A full-time Outreach worker to accompany residents in the community and assist them to make connections
  • A full-time Indigenous Liaison Worker, who will work directly with Indigenous residents to ensure the provision of culturally appropriate supports

 

It is an honour to have been selected to operate this development, and to help respond to immediate needs in the community, particularly those who have depended on emergency response supports during the pandemic.

 

In Vancouver, we were excited to introduce what is temporarily known as Kingsway Supportive Housing. With the support of BC Housing and partnership with the City of Vancouver, we will be introducing the first residents to this new 65-unit supportive housing development in the coming months. Like in Surrey, this project will meet the needs of those who are experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness. It will include significant tenant representation from Indigenous and female identifying populations. Kingsway Supportive Housing will offer many of the same wrap-around supports that will play such a big role in our new Surrey project.

Together with our announcement in Prince George from earlier this year, these latest projects speak to the crucial need for accessible housing during the ongoing housing crisis, and to Connective’s commitment and successful track record in this service sector.

 

Through our long history with housing service provision and the application of housing first principles across our programs, we have built a strong reputation for our work in this area. While we celebrate the announcement of these two new projects in Surrey and Vancouver, we invite you to take a walk down memory lane with us and explore the evolution of housing across our organization’s long history.

Our Housing Programs Through the Years

Our roots in the housing sector date back almost 90 years now, and it’s part of our organization that we continue to be incredibly proud of and inspired by.

 

One of our longest standing programs is Hobden House, a community-based residential facility in Surrey, which opened its doors in 1984. It was our very first halfway house and signified a milestone for our team as one of our first residential programs.

 

Since our early days at Hobden House, we’ve continued to build on our housing continuum to support more people experiencing complex barriers in more communities across BC and the Yukon. Our interest in leading non-profit housing efforts is guided by the foundational principle that housing is a human right, and that when every person is both housed and supported, it benefits our entire community.

 

Join us as we explore the evolution of our housing programs over the years, and just a few of the ones that lead us to where we are today:

 

1996: Guy Richmond Place opened, though at the time as a provincial electronic monitoring halfway house located in Surrey and contracted by the provincial government. It was moved to Vancouver just one year later and became the Community Residential Facility (CRF) we know it to be today in 1999, when its contract transferred from the provincial government to CSC.

 

1997: Three new housing programs were established, including South Surrey Residence (SSR), Stephen Kruger House (SKH), and an Electronic Monitoring Program in Burnaby. SSR was a licensed care facility for persons on conditional discharge from the forensic psychiatric hospital, and those with acquired brain injuries. SKH was delivered in association with Simon Fraser University to assist persons with Dual-Diagnosis.

 

1998: We began working with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to provide outreach and live-in support services to persons with Developmental Disabilities. This was back when MCFD provided supports to adults with developmental disabilities. In 2005, support for adults with disabilities transferred from MCFD to Community Living BC (CLBC), with these first contracts forming the basis of what today is our Community Living Services programming.

 

2001: Vancouver Apartments was puchased! VA is our longest standing Community Living Residential program, providing 24/7 residential support to women and men with developmental disabilities.

 

2003: Miller Block welcomed its first tenants in December 2005, providing safe, affordable housing with added outreach supports. Miller Block continues to operate as a low-barrier affordable housing option with 16-18 hours of support per day.

Exterior of our Miller Block program

 

2005: We took on our first Home Share contract, known at the time as the Independent Care Network (ICN).

 

2007: Tims Manor opened, providing affordable housing in the community of Abbotsford. Over the years our Tims Manor program has evolved to meet the needs of the community, today supporting up to 18 residents as a community-based residential facility.

 

2008: The Homelessness Partnership Initiative was introduced to provide a social safety net for people transitioning from provincial prisons to the community.

 

2012: East 3rd was developed in response to the needs of a neurodiverse individual that was on a supervision order and required 24hr on-site staffing. A year later, the program expanded to serve another individual living with a developmental disability that also required around-the-clock personalized support.

 

2013: Elliot House opened December 2013 in Abbotsford, now our largest community-based residential facility supporting up to 30 residents as they transition to the community from provincial or federal incarceration.

 

2015: We assumed operations of Willow Place, a harm-reduction, trauma-informed housing program for women with FASD experiencing addiction and other complex challenges. We also began delivering Bridge to Housing, a homelessness prevention program supporting people transitioning from provincial incarceration in need of safe, secure housing.

 

2019: Miyáqˈelhá:wetawt opened, providing Indigenous culturally-focused community-based residential support delivered out of Tims Manor in partnership with Elders in the community. Charland Residential first opened in January 2019, providing safe and secure housing within the community to individuals with criminal justice involvement and mental health needs, who are under the care of CLBC.

 

The cultural space at Miyáqˈelhá:wetawt

 

2020: Several housing and homelessness prevention programs began:

  •  We began operating our first housing program in the Yukon, the Supervised Housing and Reintegration Program (SHARP).
  • Community Support Initiatives (initially referred to as the “Bail Project”) provides housing subsidies and personalized support services to folks transitioning from prison to the community who may be at risk of homelessness.
  • We opened Kensington House, which provides temporary housing to refugee claimants and foreign nationals with precarious status in Canada.
  • Dogwood, a Community Living Services Residential program supporting individuals transitioning from hospital settings, opened in December.
  • Pop Up Housing Programs are delivered to provide structured residential supervision and support to isolating individuals reintegrating into the community from federal correctional institutions at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

2021: This year was another big one for housing:

  • Charland Residential welcomed a second staffed residential program in the downstairs part of the home, starting January 1st
  • In April we assumed operations of the Housing First Residence in Whitehorse, Yukon in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations.
  • We began delivering a suite of personalized housing programs through the Samara Program, and our first resident moved in on July 14th.
  • In September we launched Frey Place: our first home-share hybrid to support an individual with criminal justice system involvement and mental health needs to live independently outside of the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, after receiving an absolute discharge.

 

2022: We’ve had an exciting start to the year, with announcements of a few new projects:

  •  First Avenue Supportive Housing: In January we announced a new 50-bed residence in Prince George that will provide housing for those who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness
  • Teak House: A new (and our first in many years) youth-based program that will offer specialized residential support for two youth who are under the age of 19, in the care of MCFD, and living with developmental disabilities.
  • Hawthorn: Opened in February, this assisted living program will provide support to two clients living with acquired brain injuries. This project is our first housing contract with Fraser Health.
  • Diversity Flats: In partnership between Connective, BC Housing, and the city of Kamloops, this 60-unit affordable housing project opened its doors to residents this spring, and is working toward full occupancy.

Looking Forward

As we look ahead, we know that more housing-focused services are to join this long list. While we do not deliver some of the programs listed here anymore – whether that be due to changes in funding, government priorities, best practices, or the needs of the people and communities being served – we are proud of the dynamic nature of our ever-evolving housing continuum. We are honoured to support people and communities through our housing and other programs, and look forward to continually enhancing the ways in which we can show up for, be part of, and stand with our community.

Supportive Housing at Samara

At Connective, we believe that access to adequate housing is fundamental to the creation of safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all

Welcome mat at the front door of a home.

At Connective, we believe that access to adequate housing is fundamental to the creation of safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Housing is a human right, and a necessary springboard for people looking to overcome any challenges they may be facing and move toward independence. Whether explicitly through our housing programs, or through the application of Housing First principles wherever possible, we assist people to secure housing that meets their unique needs and provide the community-based supports necessary for them to maintain that housing in the long-run.

 

Our supportive housing programs feature an integrated model, coupling housing with the provision of community-based and living skills support. Service users may live in a Connective housing option or in a community setting and receive person-centered support to meet their goals and needs.

 

Samara is one such program. Developed to provide safe and secure supportive housing for individuals with mental health challenges who have been involved in the criminal justice system, Samara has since expanded to include individuals who experience other challenges navigating daily life.

Getting to Know Samara

At Samara, staff work to be a bridge from institution to independence, supporting residents in developing healthy lifestyle habits and promoting life skills through collaborative learning and shared activities.

 

The name Samara comes from the winged fruit of the elm, ash, or maple tree – trees known for their strength, resilience, and flexibility. These attributes resonated with staff and service users alike, perfectly capturing both the aims of the program, and the strengths of those within it.

 

This past February, we sat down with Travis, the Program Manager for Samara, and James, a resident there, to get a better understanding of the program, its goals, and what an average day in the life might look like. Watch the video below to hear from Travis and James directly.

The Importance of Person-Centered Care

As you can see, the program gives staff and residents plenty of opportunities to connect with one another on a personal level, as they collaborate on progress toward short and long-term goals.

 

For Travis, it’s this person-centered care that is at the core of Samara.

 

“All our clients, I feel like we build connections with them as service workers. We have day to day interactions with them, we really enjoy spending time with them…I know that I’ve had a lot of fun working with the clients and I really, really enjoy it. Person centered is the best value we’ve got because, really, it’s all about them, and making sure that they’re happy, and content…yeah, they’re the focus of why we’re here.”

-Travis

 

This care and interaction – whether it is directly related to skill building or goals, or just in hanging out – has a huge impact on the daily lives of those in the Samara program. ‘’With the companionship between the residents and our workers, I see a lot of impact in just their happiness, mood…everything.’’

 

James echoes this sentiment, as well, ‘’I like this place, I like the staff too, they’re really nice…Not everybody works here all the time, right, so sometimes they have people filling in and I get to see someone that I haven’t seen in a couple weeks or a couple months. Yeah, it’s pretty good.’’

Between the music, the barbecue ribs (one of James’ favorite meals to share with staff), and the fun had over air hockey or sharing James’ YouTube videos (‘’he does kind of infomercials, or commercials, and different kinds of sketches…I think they’re hilarious.’’) it’s not hard to imagine how daily life at Samara might be setting the stage for success when it comes to bigger goals. In reflecting on his time with Connective and at Samara so far, James notes how ‘’it really made me start to feel my freedom, and how important it is.’’

 

We wish James, Travis, and the rest of the team at Samara all the best, and hope you’ve enjoyed this closer look at just one of the many programs here at Connective.

Welcoming Kamloops to Connective

After a significant amount of self-reflection and assessment, the John Howard Society of the Thompson Region (JHSTR) have joined us under the Connective name

Lake surround by mountains and trees in Kamloops

We’ve had a few exciting announcements already this year, and today we are pleased to share another. After a significant amount of self-reflection and extensive assessment of their organization, our longtime friends, neighbors, and collaborators at the John Howard Society of the Thompson Region (JHSTR) have transitioned away from that identity and joined us under the Connective name!

 

Much like our own organization, the team in Kamloops has seen tremendous growth in recent years as they have expanded on their established programs and catered to more diverse needs in their community. Through this growth, they began to feel that their name no longer represented who they were, the work they did, and the communities they served. After an extensive process of assessment, engagement, and self-reflection, the Kamloops team recognized that a new name was necessary to reflect their identity, their mission today, and their vision for tomorrow.

“Once we had evaluated each of our options, the decision was actually quite obvious. A shared brand was the most logical next step for our growing organization.”

– Lindsay Lord, CEO of Interior Okanagan Region

At the core of their decision to become ‘Connective’ is our shared DNA. For many years we have worked closely alongside and supported one another. Beyond this working relationship exists much overlap, both in the breadth of our services; the person-centered, housing-first, harm-reduction based care we bring to our service users; and the values underpinning all that we do. We are honoured for the chance to continue our work together under the Connective name, brand, and vision – safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

 

This alignment under Connective will bring significant benefits to the people and communities we serve, both in Kamloops specifically, but across all our regions in general. The sharing of our name and resources will bring increased efficiency, influence, and potential for impact. By enhancing awareness of the Connective brand, we can ensure that our services are reaching those who need them most.

Getting to Know Connective Kamloops

 

The team in Kamloops is made up of: 

 

75 STAFF

 

10+ PROGRAMS

 

262 HOUSING UNITS

 

They provide a continuum of support that enables people to live as independently as possible through dynamic, innovative, and person-centered programs and services spanning all areas from housing, to education and employment, justice services, and community based supports. Through these programs, Kamloops offers support to those experiencing developmental disabilities, physical and mental health issues, addictions, and homelessness, as well as those who have been involved with the health, social, and criminal justice systems.

 

They are determined to deliver supports and services that directly meet the needs of the people and communities we serve, and that contribute to a safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all.

Two men washing dishes.

Housing

Kamloops’ housing continuum supports people that are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or require unique residential supports to secure and maintain housing that meets their needs. 

Two contractors smiling.

Employment

Kamloops’ employment and education programs support individuals facing barriers to identify, work towards, and achieve their professional and personal goals.

Two men talking

Justice Services

Kamloops’ justice services provide housing, employment, outreach, community reintegration, advocacy, and support to people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

Two women sitting and smiling.

Community Living BC Services

Kamloops’ Community Living Services offer community inclusion, residential, and Home Share services to adults with developmental disabilities who have been referred to us by CLBC.

Spotlight on: Diversity Flats

One project that the Connective Kamloops team is particularly excited about right now, is Diversity Flats.  

 

Diversity Flats is a 60-unit affordable housing project, in partnership with BC Housing and the City of Kamloops. The project is nearing completion and, when ready, will support singles, couples, and families with low to moderate income, with rents set (and intended to remain) below market rate.

 

The project will offer:

  •  Accessible suites
  • Studio units and both 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
  • Adaptable 1-2 bedroom adjoining units for supported living arrangements
  • Accessible laundry
  • Indoor and outdoor bicycle and scooter spaces
  • Open parking, with opportunity for an assigned parking stall
  • Opportunity for an indoor storage unit
  • Pet friendly units available

“By supporting the construction of affordable new homes like this, our government is ensuring people can live and stay in their communities, close to family and where they work…These homes will help create a healthy neighbourhood and community that will benefit the city of Kamloops for years to come.”

– David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing

The name of this complex, Diversity Flats, came through careful consideration, with a focus on the inclusion of people of all races, cultures, and genders, and establishing a sense of community and belonging for everyone. The name is in strong alignment with our vision of building safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

 

The application process is open for general inquiries and application packages. Those interested can contact kamloopshousing@connective.ca for more information.

Looking Forward

This is an exciting and significant moment for our organizations. It speaks to the strength of everything that we have accomplished together so far, and holds untold potential for us as we continue to work to support communities across BC and the Yukon moving forward. Together with the Kamloops team under our shared name and vision, we tap into what it truly means to be ‘Connective.’