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February 12, 2010
Coast/Yaffa House in Dunbar
The sod is finally turned in a new supportive housing partnership.
SUSAN J. KATZ
“In 1993, a few families, mostly those having children with mental illness, gathered together for endless discussions in our homes. Our purpose was creating housing facilities having a Jewish cultural atmosphere that would offer opportunities for those with mental disabilities to participate within the Jewish community,” said Aaron Estrin, founder and past president of Vancouver Yaffa Housing Society (VYHS). Estrin was speaking on Jan. 21 to an assembly of guests and project supporters at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Dunbar Apartments in Vancouver.
The building is a collaborative partnership of Coast Mental Health, VYHS, St. Georges Place Society, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, the City of Vancouver and the provincial government.
In his speech to the large gathering, which included speakers Rich Coleman, minister of housing, and Deputy Mayor Kerry Jang, Estrin said, “Today, with our participation in this Dunbar development, Yaffa will triple the number of places we can offer our applicants, to a total of 15 units.”
According to Estrin, “As the Vancouver Jewish community has approximately 25,000 people, we estimate that close to 1,000 people in our community are currently suffering some serious form of mental illness. Dunbar Apartments will provide the first home with enhanced supervision to ... Jewish people in need of 24/7 supportive housing.”
Estrin also acknowledged the growing support from the neighborhood for the Dunbar Apartments project: “From the get-go, homeowners and residents in the area have stepped forward, contributing their ideas and lending their support – we do not take this for granted. I believe it’s fair to say that this community is an example to all Vancouver communities, and we are grateful and proud to be so welcomed into their fold.”
Bob Huber, president of VYHS, said, “We are pleased to provide our services and Jewish traditions so more members of our Jewish community can benefit from the expansion of our services. When complete, this development will quickly become an integral part of this community.”
According to Darrell Burnham, executive director of Coast Mental Health, the partnership between Coast and VYHS began 16-17 years ago, when the idea of a Jewish home for those with mental health needs was brought to their attention. In December 2007, there was a call by B.C. Housing to submit a proposal for supportive housing. St. Georges Place Society was chosen as another partner to fill the four wheelchair-accessible units in the building.
Burnham told the Independent, “Partnering VYHS and St. Georges Society with Coast brings a vibrancy to the building’s community. The current Yaffa House residents wish to invite all the residents of the building into their celebrations. And having VYHS as a partner helps the neighborhood see the building as a home and not an institution.” VYHS has committed to fund the cost of a small kosher kitchen within the facility that will be used to host special events and religious occasions.
Allyson Muir, manager of mental health and addictions housing at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, added, “We collaborate with a variety of organizations to benefit the greater health of communities we serve. This partnership with the province, city and societies is a perfect avenue for us to extend our reach and provide services to those most at risk in our region.”
In recalling a previous groundbreaking ceremony at Richards and Robson streets, Burnham said, “I went along with three tenants the day before the ceremony so they could see their new apartments on their own: tears were rolling down their faces as they saw for the first time their own new kitchen, their own bathrooms and windows.”
The grand opening is expected to be in late spring of 2011. According to Coast, tenants will be selected through a referral system set up by B.C. Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Coast Mental Health. Priority will be given to those who qualify as low-income, people with disabilities and individuals with mental health issues who currently reside in the Dunbar, West Point Grey and Kitsilano areas, or whose origins were these communities. Coast Mental Health will manage the apartments in this green building, designed to LEED Gold standards, within a framework of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery, which is congruent with best practices in housing services delivery. Features of the development will include:
• Approximate 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail space owned by the city of Vancouver, which will lease the units to retail business operators.
• 47 self-contained studio residential units.
• Four wheelchair-accessible units.
• Amenities, including a kitchen, lounge, meeting rooms, offices and other spaces for residents’ program and leisure needs.
Susan J. Katz is a freelance writer, editor and award-winning poet living in Vancouver. You can contact her at [email protected].
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