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MESSAGE
Guest Editorial: Tung Chan, CEO, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
To build a holistic and healthy community is a big vision; a more attainable goal is to start small. Building a healthy community within a community has been the concept that has motivated S.U.C.C.E.S.S. for years and propelled us to be the operator of the Orange Hall SRO hotel. In 1995 we stepped into the arena of health services and started planning for residential care for people in need. Like Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon, it was a giant step for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. when we opened our care home and adult day centre in 2001, and an assisted living development in 2006. Housing management might not be our strongest suit now, but we are confident our expertise in various social support and seniors’ residential services can be transferred to Orange Hall in 2009.
Orange Hall has 27 self-contained suites varying in sizes. Most of the tenants are Chinese-speaking seniors. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will try to make the building a healthy and better living environment where tenants can "age in place." We will create a hygienic sanctuary and provide residents with friendly social support services. These are precious comforts most people have but the less unfortunate have to overcome multiple barriers to obtain.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will encourage tenants to find meanings in their lives and to ensure they are connected with the community. Our staff will do this by arranging social programs and lively activities such as festival celebrations and monthly outings. In the near future, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. hopes to provide more affordable supportive housing for seniors, and to actively participate in social housing.
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| SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY HOTELS |
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Renovations complete at several SROs
Renovations were completed recently at the Dominion Hotel, the Carl Rooms, and the Walton Hotel. All three buildings had been empty during renovations; there are now 155 newly renovated units for people who had been homeless or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver. Renovations were completed earlier this year at the Rice Block, and the Rainier, London, and Marr hotels. Over the summer months, we can expect to see renovations completed at the Beacon Hotel (the former Backpackers Inn), Cordova Residence, Orange Hall, Park Hotel, Roosevelt Hotel, and the Savoy Hotel.
Read more updates about the government-owned SROs including the tentative construction schedule.
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| EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM |
HEAT shelter report
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson created the Homeless Emergency Action Team last December to identify immediate action steps the City and its partners could take to get homeless people off the streets and into safe and secure housing over the winter months.
Read more about the Emergency Shelter Program in Vancouver.
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| Who's Who? |
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Vancouver’s Community Non-Profit Partners
Sixteen of the city’s most experienced and respected non-profit groups work to deliver housing, shelter and support services to those in greatest need. For a contact list of the partners that operate the SROs, deliver the Homeless Outreach Program, and/or provide emergency shelter in Vancouver, click here.
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| About the Newsletter |
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Vancouver Housing Update is an e-newsletter collaboration between the Vancouver Community Non-Profit Partners that work with BC Housing on breaking the cycle of homelessness. These community partners operate the Single Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) owned by the provincial government, deliver the Homeless Outreach Program, and/or provide emergency shelter in Vancouver.
The purpose of the e-newsletter is to provide accurate and timely information to tenants, advocacy and community groups, and anyone else who wants to be kept up to date on what is happening on the housing front for people in Vancouver who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
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