There is a new housing development in the works to combat homelessness in Abbotsford.
A new development at 2719 Gladys Avenue will offer 30 new supportive homes.
The project will provide tenants with safe, affordable housing and onsite health and support services, such as mental health, addictions and medical services, employment readiness programs and meals.
The new building will include a care-taker unit, lounge, kitchen, laundry room and a bed bugs sauna.
It is expected to be completed by spring, 2017.
READ MORE: B.C. government provides $2.4M for supportive housing in Abbotsford
Meanwhile, the existing 40-bed temporary winter shelter on Riverside Road will remain open until the project on Gladys Avenue is complete.
The B.C. Government will provide $5.1 million for the new supportive housing project as well as $630,000 to ensure the existing 40-bed temporary shelter remains open until spring 2017. The City of Abbotsford provided the land and $250,000 for the new supportive housing project as well as $750,000 and the land for the temporary shelter.
The city has struggled to deal with a burgeoning homeless population in recent years. The city came under fire in 2013 for dumping chicken manure on a homeless camp, and in 2014 another homeless camp was controversially evicted.
Last month, the city also updated a controversial bylaw that prohibited homeless people from sleeping overnight in city parks and erecting temporary shelters.
With files from Justin McElroy
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