Our Services - LIFT - Community Services

Services

Supportive Housing helps people find and maintain stable housing.

Lift’s Supportive Housing building includes 44 self-contained units with kitchenettes and private bathrooms. Shared laundry facilities are available for use, with optional support from staff.

The building has a communal eating space on the main floor, attached to our kitchen where we prepare and serve two meals daily.

Outside, there’s a common area for socializing, and a communal garden available for participant use.

Our on-site support include:

24-hour staff support
Meal program
Access to community-based outreach and home care services
Daily wellness checks
Computer and Internet access
Pet-friendly and support with pet care
Harm reduction services
Transportation support
Life skills support
Recreational activities
Access to health supports
Referrals to other community services
Help accessing income assistance, pension/disability benefits, identification, or a bank account
Connections to mental health resources and detox/treatment options
Home support and housekeeping

Our supports

Private, secure housing units
All units are self-contained with kitchenette, window, private bathroom, and doors that lock in an apartment-style building

Hot meals
We provide two meals daily -breakfast and dinner – prepared in-house by Lift’s Food Hub team.

Staff on-site
Staff are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide consistent participant support.

In-house health services
We work closely with Vancouver Coastal Health to offer harm reduction outreach, Intensive Case Management, and home care services on-site.

Harm reduction
We have free harm reduction supplies and a supervised consumption site. All staff are trained in advanced overdose response.

Communal Garden
We have a communal garden for participant use, where we also grow some of the food we serve.

Social events
We build community and support within the building, through events like Bingo nights and barbeques.

FAQ's

Am I eligible for Supportive Housing?

You may be eligible for Supportive Housing if you:

Are a low-income adult
Are homeless or at risk of homelessness
Require supports to live independently
Need support to maintain a successful tenancy
Currently live in the qathet Region

Individuals who are 19+ and wish to be considered for supportive housing must submit an application to the BC Housing Supportive Housing Registration Service.

Click here to access the BC Housing Supportive Housing site. You only need to apply once.

If you have questions about applying for Supportive Housing, please contact us at housingservices@liftcommunityservices.org.

Are pets allowed?

Yes. We allow most pets, with a signed pet agreement and care plan.

What is the model of care being followed?

Our supportive housing program is funded and overseen by BC Housing. We follow their mandate and protocols, which is to provide adults, seniors, and people with disabilities at risk of or experiencing homelessness with subsidized rental housing and 24-hour access to support services.

Click here to read more about BC Housing’s Supportive Housing program.

Are people allowed to use substances in the building?

As per BC Housing protocol, we operate within a harm reduction framework, which aims to reduce the risks and harmful effects associated with substance use and addictive behaviours. This means that someone who uses substances, including alcohol, can still qualify for housing. We know we can’t convince someone to not use drugs, but what we can do is make it as safe for them as possible. This type of low-barrier housing saves lives by covering a person’s basic needs, providing professional supports, creating an entry point for physical and mental health care and much more.

Click here to learn more about harm reduction.

Are people improving their lives by living here?

Absolutely. In an April 2022 report from BC Housing, 75% of our program participants reported improvements to their overall well-being. Our participants are experiencing less homelessness and housing insecurity, increased access to employment opportunities, and better mental and physical health including substance use issues. We’ve also had the pleasure of supporting several individuals in finding permanent housing in the community.

Is supportive housing the best model for housing?

While we know this model isn’t perfect, it’s the best one we have right now. People living in our housing are staying housed, safe, and off the streets. Their health and quality of life are improving. We’ve helped a number of people move on into permanent housing situations in the community. Homelessness and substance use disorders are complex community issues that require complex solutions, and this supportive housing program is only one piece of that puzzle.

Is the building funded with public tax dollars?

Yes, and there’s some exciting research being done on the public cost savings of supportive housing in Canada.

A 2018 study, for example, found that for every dollar invested in supportive housing in BC, approximately four to five dollars in social and economic value is created. This amount includes lower public spending associated with decreased use of public services such as emergency health services, justice services, hospital services, child welfare services, and other supports. The amount also includes an individual’s increased ability to work, having more disposable income, and increased connections to community. Click here to learn more.

More work is being done in this area, but we know that the cost of doing nothing about homelessness is a lot higher than what is being done now.

What training do staff receive?

Like most other other jobs, there are some specific occupational safety risks in this work, and we train our staff accordingly. All of our staff receive training in First Aid, Advanced Overdose Response, Mental Health First Aid, Non-violence Crisis Intervention, and Indigenous Cultural Safety. We also work with the provincial Mobile Response Team for ongoing support, education and training.