Local, provincial and federal partners gathered today to tour the supportive housing development under construction at 602 Agnes Street, where 52 supportive homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness are expected to welcome new residents later this year.

The project is the result of a partnership between the Province of BC, the Government of Canada, the City of New Westminster, BC Housing, and Lookout Housing and Health Society. Once complete, the development will provide residents with stable housing and on-site supports that promote long-term health, well-being and housing stability.

The Province, through BC Housing's Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund, has invested approximately $18.6 million toward the development of the project, including $2.9 million toward land purchase. An additional $1.6 million is being provided in annual operating funding. These homes are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 99,000 homes delivered or underway, including more than 800 homes in New Westminster.

The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative, has invested approximately $13 million. Lookout Housing and Health Society will operate the building and provide on-site support services for residents.

The City of New Westminster played a key role in advancing the project by creating the conditions needed to move it forward quickly and facilitating the involvement of the Federal Government. The City established site-specific zoning to allow the building's design to maximize space for resident support, dining facilities, and staff services. 

The project was also prioritized in the City's Ten-Year Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan, which, as part of the City’s Crises Response Pilot Project, focuses on providing housing for people experiencing homelessness in New Westminster and connecting residents with local supports. New Westminster has met its provincial housing targets this year, approved all non-market housing proposal that has come before Council, and continues to streamline processes that help deliver new homes more quickly.

The development at 602 Agnes Street is an important step toward addressing homelessness in New Westminster, but additional supportive housing will be needed in the years ahead. The City's five-year interim housing projection identifies a need for 352 supportive and transitional homes—about 70 homes each year—to help meet local need and address homelessness in the community.

Construction on the development began in December 2024 and is expected to be completed later this year. For more information on this project, please visit bchousing.org/projects-partners/projects/new-westminster-602-agnes-street

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