VANCOUVER - Construction of a new $24.7-million centre that will provide temporary shelter to people escaping war, famine and persecution around the world was given the green light this week by Vancouver city council.

The new Welcome House Centre, to be located at East 10th Ave. and Victoria Drive, is expected to be the first facility of its kind in Canada to offer short-term housing along with medical, banking and legal services, English-language training and counselling for newly arrived refugees, particularly survivors of torture.

“This complex is going to redefine the model for how other communities around the world can best serve refugees,” Chris Friesen, director of the Immigration Services Society of B.C., told The Sun when the ambitious project was first announced last June.

ISSBC has been housing immigrants and refugees at a 70-bed facility downtown for the past four decades.

The new centre will provide beds for up to 200 people, including families and individuals.

The City of Vancouver agreed Tuesday to provide the land for the centre on a 60-year lease for just $1. A staff report to council recommending support for the project estimates the real value of the lease at $2.7 million.

As well, the city will provide a capital grant of up to $490,000 towards the construction of the centre.

All the units will rent at shelter rate.

According to the staff report, recently arrived refugees face multiple barriers to finding suitable and affordable housing and run a high-risk of homelessness.

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