New Westminster, B.C. – 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

QUOTES:

The Honourable Christine Boyle
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs

“Supportive housing is an important part of helping people build stability and improve their quality of life. These homes will provide residents with safe housing, on-site supports and dedicated staff who can help them navigate challenges and plan for the future. Our government will continue investing in housing and supports that help people succeed and strengthen communities throughout B.C.”

Jake Sawatzky, Member of Parliament for New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville on behalf of The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development

“We are committed to working across governments, and across sectors, to offer housing help for those who need it most. This project will quickly create homes for some of New Westminster’s most vulnerable residents – people whose need is greatest, and urgent. Our government is proud to be one of the partners making this development happen.”

The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside
Member of Legislative Assembly for New Westminster-Coquitlam

“Everyone deserves the security of a home and the opportunity to thrive in their community. These new supportive homes will help people find stability, access support and build connections that can make a lasting difference in their lives. Through BC Housing, our government is helping create more housing options for people who need them, and it's encouraging to see this project taking shape in New Westminster. These homes will help more people feel a sense of belonging and strengthen the community for everyone.”

Patrick Johnstone
Mayor, City of New Westminster

“Supportive housing changes lives. It provides people with the stability they need to reconnect with health care, employment, family and community. New Westminster is ready to keep doing its part by identifying sites, streamlining approvals, and partnering with experienced non-profit housing providers because we know supportive housing works. But municipalities can't do it alone. Continued investment from the provincial and federal governments will be essential to meeting our community's housing needs.”

Shayne Williams
Chief Executive Officer, Lookout Housing and Health Society

"A safe home can change the course of a person's life. For the future residents of 602 Agnes, this will be a place to heal, rebuild and look ahead with hope. We are sincerely thankful to BC Housing, the Government of Canada and the City of New Westminster for their partnership and commitment to making these homes a reality." 

-30-

Media contact:

Ashleigh Young, Manager of Communications
City of New Westminster
604-527-4559