Prefab housing for homeless

Photo: Twitter

The federal government announced plans Monday to develop three projects in Vancouver that will create new affordable housing, helping those who are homeless and expanding the number of shelter spaces available in the city.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his government is providing funding to the Vancouver Affordable Housing Agency for a temporary modular housing initiative that is aimed at helping those without a home to transition into longer-term housing.

Once completed, the project is expected to provide more than 600 pre-built units that can be relocated where they are needed across the city.

The funding will also help with the redevelopment of the Union Gospel Mission's Women and Families Centre in the Downtown Eastside.

The centre is expanding to more than 60 units, which will provide shelter for women who are recovering from addiction.

Trudeau made the announcement at the site of the $40-million project that will provide 115 rental-housing units in the city later this year.

"By investing in affordable rental housing, temporary shelters for people who are living on the streets, and support centres for women battling addiction, we're not just investing in our communities — we're investing in people," he said.

The funding is part of the government's National Housing Strategy, a 10-year, $40-billion program announced in 2017 that Ottawa has billed as a plan to provide more social housing and affordable rental units.