A downtown Prince George building will be renovated to provide around 22 homes with supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.
The province, through B.C. Housing has purchased Mark's Place, the building at 1007 3rd Ave.
It was previously leased by BC Housing to provide supportive housing for the community's most vulnerable people.
BC Housing has now purchased the property and will complete required renovations by fall 2023.
Residents were temporarily moved to the Lotus hotel and will move back to Mark's Place once the upgrades are complete.
"People experiencing homelessness should have access to safe and secure housing. With this purchase, BC Housing will be able to offer a place for people to stay in Prince George in a more permanent way," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing.
"We know that sheltering outside and in encampments is not safe and we want to help more people find a place to call their own with personalized supports to help them succeed, because when that happens, the whole community benefits."
The building will offer people experiencing homelessness comfortable and safe homes where they can access support services, such as around-the-clock staff and daily meals, as well as educational and employment training.
The Association Advocating for Women and Community (AAWC), a local non-profit organization providing housing support, will remain the operator of Mark's Place.
"We are very pleased to hear BC Housing has purchased 1007 3rd Ave., Mark's Place," said Connie Abe, executive director, AAWC.
"This permanency will provide relief to the individuals AAWC supports at Mark's Place, which is one of several BC Housing projects in Prince George that provide the most vulnerable in our community access to housing and support services. We are also honoured that BC Housing has named the site Mark's Place, as it is in memory of one of our staff members who was an advocate for opportunity and change."
The province, through BC Housing, purchased 1007 3rd Ave. for $1.3 million through a permanent housing plan grant and will provide annual operating funding of approximately $909,000.
