Bridges Supportive Housing, a partnership between Quesnel Shelter and Support Society and BC Housing, is operational in Quesnel! Supportive housing is subsidized housing with on-site supports. These supports help people find and maintain housing stability.

Residents have access to their own self-contained studio apartment with shared amenity spaces. All residents sign a program or agreement and participate in programming based on an individualized case plan. 

All residents in supportive housing have made a choice to live there and are able to access the services provided by non-profit housing operators, such as life-skills training, and connections to primary health care, mental health and/or substance use services. 

Snapshot of Bridges Supportive Housing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seasons House Shelter moving to 355 Elliott Street?

No. Emergency Shelter services will not be provided at the new facility. 

What will the housing be like?

Bridges Supportive Housing is a new purpose-built facility that is 3 stories, and contains 28 single self-contained studio units, 4 Supportive Recovery Program units, a commercial kitchen and dining hall, a clinic office for visiting practitioners and 24 hour staffed office space.  Two of the units will be wheelchair accessible. 

What are the Supportive Recovery Program units?

The Supportive Recovery Program units will be located in a separate area of the building and have its own shared kitchen and common space. There are 4 units for people who are working with Northern Health practitioners and getting ready to go to treatment, have come back from treatment, or are working on individual goals with their practitioner and in need of a place of respite.  This program allows for a 90 day stay in these units. 

Who can live there?

Tenants will be low income individuals in Quesnel, over the age of 19, and who have a source of income. Priority will be given to individuals who are homeless. Tenants will also benefit from the support staff and programming on site. Bridges Supportive Housing is designed to provide tenants with secure, supported, permanent housing. Bridges Supportive Housing will also provide the opportunity to make connections with a comprehensive range of support services to facilitate the transition from a previous housing situation or homelessness into stable, supported, permanent housing. The support services are intended to assist the tenant in addressing and enhancing life skills, restoring the ability to maintain healthy, independent lives and eventually maintain a productive independent tenancy. 

Will the building be wheelchair accessible?

Yes, there will be two fully accessible units and an elevator for folks with mobility challenges. 

How long can I live there for?

This will be permanent housing and there is no length of stay for tenants. Tenants will be under a Program Agreement and will have the support and assistance of staff should they wish to explore and transition onto other housing options.

What is the rent, and what other amenities are included?

Rent will be equivalent to the basic income assistance shelter portion amount (currently $375) and will include all utilities. The rent will be the same for all tenants, including those that are not on income assistance. There will be laundry facilities, and daily meals provided to tenants at no additional charge. There will be a TV available for tenant use in the common dining area. The building will include an outdoor covered scooter area with plug ins, and an outdoor bike rack. There will be clinic space in the building for health services. Other programs will be developed in partnership with tenants. 

What will the guest policies be?

In the first 3 months of the building being opened, there will be no guests allowed. This allows the tenants and building staff to begin building a sense of community within the building, and allow those who have been homeless for extended periods of time to make the transition to living in their own homes. This guest policy will be reviewed after 3 months, with Quesnel Shelter and Support Society (QSSS) having the discretion to extend this “no guest” period as needed.

Once, the “no guest period” has passed, guests will be allowed to visit with tenants in the building during designated visiting hours. Guests will be required to sign into the building and asked to show ID. For guests that do not have ID, building staff can assist with obtaining ID for building visits.

Visiting hours will be from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm.  There will be no allowance for overnight guests. Guest policies may reviewed and altered by QSSS, as needed, in future.  

Tenants will be responsible for ensuring that their guests adhere to the expectations outlined in the program agreement. 

Can I live there with my partner?

Due to the size of each unit, the units are for single occupancy only. Couples may be accommodated in the building by being given separate units which are close to each other whenever possible. 

Can I have pets?

Yes. The building will be pet friendly. Approval of pets will be done on a case by case basis.

Will children be allowed in the building?

Minors under the age of 19 will not be able to with stay or visit with tenants inside of the building. This building and programming is intended for adult use only.

What will I need to bring to the building?

The units are all self-contained studio apartments. Basic furniture (bed, table, chair, shelf/storage cabinet) will be provided, and we ask that new tenants not bring large furniture items with them. Due to the size of the units, we are also asking that new tenants limit their belongings to what can fit into 3 plastic totes (approximately 65L per tote). Tenants may also bring with them one complete bicycle. 

Please also be mindful that all belongings coming into the building will subject to the building’s pest control protocol, which includes heat treatment of personal items. More information and instructions to prepare for the heat treatment will be provided to tenants and their support workers prior to their move-in day.

What supports will be available for those who are using substances?

The building programming will be based on a harm reduction approach which includes providing people with safe use options, wellness check ins, and working with individuals to identify and connect with desired community supports and/or treatment resources.

What other supports will be provided in the building?

The building will have 24/7 day a week staffing. Staff will be on hand to support tenants with their safety, personal goals and health care needs. 

Who will be operating the building?

The building will be operated by Quesnel Shelter and Support Society, who also operates the Seasons House Shelter.

How will tenants be involved in the building?

There will be peer opportunities for tenants in the building. These will be developed in partnership with tenants upon building opening.

How can I apply?

Click on the application links provided below. Please connect with a Seasons House staff member (146 Carson Avenue or 250-991-0222) or health care provider to complete applications. Applicants will also be contacted to complete a Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT).

Applications that are completed online or scanned to a digital file can be sent directly to Executive Director, Melanie McDonald here.