B.C.'s Urban Mayors' Caucus is applauding the opening of four complex care sites in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley as a "good first step."

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announced Thursday morning the first four sites will be located in Vancouver, Surrey and Abbotsford.

Details around when they will be operational was not announced.

The Urban Mayors' Caucus has listed complex needs housing as one of the four main issues it urges government to address.

It renewed calls on the government to act just a week ago.

In a news release caucus co-chairs, Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said they are pleased to see the government take these first steps toward implementing supports to assist the most vulnerable in our communities.

They say while the announcement of 98 complex care spaces is welcomed, there are still many across the province in critical needs to see this model in place.

"We continue to advocate strongly for additional funding to be allocated to expand complex care housing and supports, and we hope that the 2022 provincial budget will reflect further commitments," the mayors stated in their news release.

"Complex care housing will make a real difference in the lives of our most vulnerable residents. It’s time to try new approaches to housing and to increase the level of care and support services.

"We look forward to working with the province and our health authorities to support them in getting these first four sites, and future sites, open as quickly as possible.”

The Urban Mayors' Caucus represents 13 of the larger communities in the province.

They continue to advocate for four key priorities, including:

• Mental Health, Substance Use and Treatment
• Affordable Housing
• Public Transit
• A New Fiscal Framework