Five months after two modular housing projects for the homeless were announced, Abbotsford council looks finally set to sign off on a final agreement that will set the stage for construction of the two facilities.
The buildings are slated for Livingstone Avenue, on land already used by the Elizabeth Fry Society, and Riverside Road, adjacent to an existing homeless shelter. Council looks set to give three readings at Monday’s afternoon meeting to agreements with the two societies operating the facilities.
The Livingstone building would be called “Legacy Manor” and include 39 units for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and “require a supportive living environment.” The Riverside project will include 44 homes.
Both are supposed to be temporary in nature, and subject to a temporary use permit. They aim to provide “stable supportive housing in order to transition individuals into stable, long-term housing,” according to a staff report.
The two facilities will also include further supports from the Elizabeth Fry and Lookout Housing and Health societies, Fraser Health and other organizations.
The projects were announced five months ago, on March 27. At the time, Mayor Henry Braun expressed hope that construction would start over the summer and that the buildings would be operational by the winter.
The province is kicking in about $12 million of funding for the two buildings