Earlier this week, BC Housing and the Attorney General and Ministry Responsible for Housing announced that the Province, through BC Housing, is leasing the Knights Inn in downtown Prince George to provide 44 supportive homes for the city’s unsheltered homeless population.
There are now no fewer than three projects comprising dozens of supportive housing units that are under development in the City. These developments directly followed City Council’s focused advocacy, together with partners such as Northern Health, to meet a significant need in our community.
BC Housing currently funds nightly shelter spaces and supportive housing units in Prince George. The following housing announcements have been made just within the past year:
- October 4, 2021 (Knights Inn) - More homes for people in Prince George
- March 31, 2021 (1st Avenue) - More supportive homes planned for Prince George
- December 17, 2020 (National Hotel) - New homes, shelter coming for people in need in Prince George
“Council would like to thank the Minister Responsible for Housing and BC Housing for this much-needed assistance for Prince George’s unsheltered homeless population,” says Lyn Hall, Mayor of Prince George. “I would also like to thank our partners for working with Council to advocate for these investments from the levels of government directly responsible for housing.”
According to BC Housing, the new housing units in the former Knights Inn hotel will be operated by the Prince George Native Friendship Centre (PGNFC), an experienced non-profit housing operator. The Friendship Centre will provide residents with support services, including daily meals and health and wellness support services.
City of Prince George outreach workers will be working in collaboration with Bylaw Services and BC Housing to help transition unsheltered homeless individuals to supportive housing units.