Project Overview
CitySpaces was commissioned by BC Housing to prepare Shelter Guidelines to assist non-profit housing societies and development teams with the planning, design, and development process for upgrading existing shelters or constructing new emergency shelters. The goal of the Guidelines was to improve the provision of services to diverse vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness, applicable across the province.
Key Highlights
The preparation of the Shelter Guidelines involved several key components:
- Developing a Shelter Guidelines Context Backgrounder Report to identify major strategic areas for discussion and decision-making;
- Facilitating a workshop with BC Housing senior staff to explore design challenges and opportunities; and
- Producing the Shelter Guidelines document, enhanced with graphics and illustrative visuals.
The final Shelter Guidelines outline essential considerations for renovating and constructing new emergency shelters, including provisions tailored to shelter users and client diversity, safety measures, integration with transitional or other housing types, and design elements focusing on durability, accessibility, and neighbourhood fit. The Guidelines also address interior programming, such as minimum floor areas and unit prototypes. Special attention is given to the needs of women, LGBT2QS, and First Nations populations. Overall, the guidelines establish standards to create warm, welcoming, and safe environments for both clients and shelter staff.
The final BC Housing Shelter Guidelines can be found here.
Areas of Expertise
Housing + Homelessness Strategy
Social Policy & Planning
Land Use Planning
Facilitation + Engagement
Visioning & Project Concept
Partnership Generation
Feasibility & Business Cases
Owner’s Representative & Project Management
Construction Administration
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