British Columbian Government In Canada Buys Hotels To Shelter The Homeless And Those Struggling During Pandemic

• The British Columbian government in Canada decided to purchase hotels in order to house homeless people amidst the pandemic.
• The Comfort Inn Hotel and the Raffles Inn motel were converted into affordable housing for people struggling in this time of crisis.
• At the same time, this helps laid-off workers get back to work because they are needed to manage the hotels.

---

Over 200 homeless people in Canada are being provided with housing by the British Columbian government. At the same time, this helps the hotels that are struggling while in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic.

This week, the provincial legislators procured the Comfort Inn Hotel in Victoria that cost $18.5 million intended to shelter homeless people and take them out of the streets amidst the health crisis.

In order to maintain the hotel with 65 rooms that would accommodate the homeless, the government also rehired the hotel workers who were laid off.

New homes are on the way for Victoria residents who need them most. The Province bought the Comfort Inn Hotel at 3020 Blanshard St. for housing with supports. Later, the site could provide a range of affordable housing: https://t.co/675ebC6RQE @CityOfVictoria @VanIslandHealth pic.twitter.com/HqvVaY4dNt— BC Housing (@BC_Housing) May 15, 2020

“Often people experiencing homelessness are not able to access the support and services they need,” the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Shane Simpson said. “The purchase of the Comfort Inn, combined with medical and social supports, will help people make the transition from the street to permanent housing.”

This is not the first time the government has purchased a hotel for the same purpose. Former Raffles Inn motel was also converted into a shelter to support the people. 

With the procurement of the two facilities, it is expected to provide 3,300 affordable housing units for the struggling citizens—indigenous people, seniors, women and children who are victims of abuse, students, and others who are homeless.

There are already about 289 people who were moved to housing temporarily, says BC Housing on Twitter. 

“This is a substantial investment in our community and will provide housing for those who need it most,” the mayor of the city of Victoria, Lisa Helps said. “This site has significant redevelopment potential to provide a range of affordable housing in the long term. I look forward to working with the community and with BC Housing to determine the long-term use of this site.”

Meanwhile, these people who have been moved to their units will have access to the hotels’ services like health-care, treatments, meals, 24/7 security, and others.

Source: Good News Network