Covenant House gets $7 million from feds for 80 new beds for homeless youth

Covenant House receives $7 million from federal government for 80 new beds for homeless youth

Artistic rendering of Covenant House's second phase expansion at 575 Drake Street Vancouver. (Covenant House)

A second phase that expands Covenant House’s homeless youth housing facilities in downtown Vancouver has received the financial backing of the federal government.

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On Tuesday, the federal government announced $6.85 million towards the redevelopment of its existing facility at 575 Drake Street into a 10-storey with 80 crisis beds, plus fitness facilities, an art therapy room, and classrooms. It is anticipated this second phase could be built by the end of 2021.

Artistic rendering of Covenant House’s second phase expansion at 575 Drake Street Vancouver. (Covenant House)

Covenant House also received $5.1 million from the federal government for the newly-completed first phase expansion just across the street at 530 Drake Street — a five-storey building, replacing the old Immigration Services Society hub, with 28 shelter beds for young women. Upon the completion of the second phase, this first phase building will become a facility for youth relapsing with alcohol and drugs.

A third and final phase of Covenant House’s facilities program involves the full renovation of its existing space at 326 West Pender Street.

Artistic rendering of Covenant House’s first phase expansion (530 Drake Street) and second phase expansion (575 Drake Street) in downtown Vancouver. (Covenant House)

Covenant House’s completed first phase expansion (right) and the site of the second phase expansion (left) in downtown Vancouver. (Google Maps)

“Covenant House Vancouver is grateful for the support from the Government of Canada and CMHC towards the expansion of our services for youth experiencing and at-risk of homelessness,” said Krista Thompson, CEO of Covenant House Vancouver, in a statement.

“Through our expansion, we will provide sanctuary and support services to more young people, many of which are young women, LGBTQ, Indigenous, immigrant, refugee and human trafficked youth, and face mental health issues, addiction, and violence.”

Artistic rendering of Covenant House’s second phase expansion at 575 Drake Street Vancouver. (Covenant House)

The first phase, costing $15 million, also received $5 million from the provincial government, with the remainder covered by fundraising efforts.

The federal government’s $11.95 million contribution to date towards Covenant House’s new facilities come from the National Housing Co-Investment Fund.

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