Year in Review – April:
Forty people came off the streets of Richmond and moved into supportive housing in April when the Temporary Modular Housing (TMH) project opened.
The facility is run by RainCity Housing, and it allows those who are still in addictions to be housed. Harm reduction measures are in place for those in active addictions, for example, a safe place to use intravenous drugs while under staff supervision.
There is also support for residents to help them back on their feet, including counselling, programming and meals.
The Richmond News visited the TMH in August to check in with the residents, many of whom expressed their gratitude for being in stable housing.
“It was a huge relief,” said Richard Miller, a former DJ who had been homeless for several years. “I was so depressed. I had lost my whole family — I had no one to turn to.”
Many were living in precarious situations before moving into the TMH – some were camping out by the Vancity building in city centre, others were living in parks, in cars and under bridges.
Opposition to the construction of the low-barrier supportive housing on Elmbridge Way in 2017 was vociferous, but council moved ahead with it anyway.
After being open for about three months, the city reported that there was little disruption to the neighbourhood.
While the TMH has provided stable homes for 40 homeless people, the city said statistics suggest homelessness is on the rise in Richmond and they are looking for other housing projects to help those on the street. Council recently passed a homelessness strategy.
