S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and rennie foundation launch Operation Welcome Home initiative to house Ukrainian arrivals

Vancouver, BC – Ukrainian arrivals to Metro Vancouver will have more help finding accommodations thanks to an innovative housing initiative organized by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and rennie foundation.

Operation Welcome Home is a pilot project that aims to support the settlement of refugees by temporarily housing Ukrainian arrivals in homes left sitting vacant. Each year, hundreds of homes are slated for demolition. It can take months to a year for properties to go through the development process and in the interim, they could be used. The goal of the project is to access these vacant homes and to work to occupy them with Ukrainian arrivals.

The partnership between S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and rennie foundation began in May 2022 and to date 50 Ukrainian families have been helped to find housing.

“With the leadership from SU.C.C.E.S.S. we are now able to provide housing as part of a continuum of services that ensure those arriving are given what they need to establish themselves in Vancouver,” said Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation.

This work is being carried out by the Operation Welcome Home Committee, which in addition to members of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and rennie foundation, includes industry experts Matt IIich and Sasha Faris, Marcy McCabe and James Evans, with the support of the Maple Hope Foundation. A number of developers have extended support for arriving families, including, but not limited to, Concert Properties, Peterson, Headwater, First Track Investment and PC Urban.

“Having witnessed the outcomes – gainful employment, integration of kids immediately into community and schools and even graduation of some recipient families into their own secure housing – it is time to take this program to the next level,” said Jennifer Podmore Russell, Vice President of rennie.

As part of this work, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. provides wraparound services to Operation Welcome Home clients, including:

• Arrival support and orientation after landing in Canada
• Placement into housing
• Access to language services
• Settlement assistance for community integration
• Employment preparation and placement support

The estimated cost to house a family and support them with wraparound services for a year is $10,000. To donate to the program, please visit: https://successfoundation.ca/operation-welcome-home/.

For more information
Elaine O’Connor
Director, Strategic Communications and Partnerships
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
[email protected]

About S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Founded in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in Canada. Our multicultural, non-profit charitable organization offers a wide range of programs and services that promote the belonging, wellness, and independence of people at all stages of their Canadian journey. Programs and services are offered in the areas of newcomer settlement, English language training, employment and entrepreneurship, family, youth and seniors programming, health education, community development, seniors care and affordable housing. Learn more at successbc.ca.

About S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation
Incorporated in 2001, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation is a charitable organization that raises funding for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and its affiliated organizations supporting S.U.C.C.E.S.S. mandates that focus on strengthening our diverse communities. For details, please visit successfoundation.ca.

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