Streetohome Foundation is proud to announce a $500,000 gift from BMO to support the creation of Canada’s first integrated Addiction Recovery Community Housing (ARCH) model. The contribution will be provided over a five-year period. Designed as a seamless pathway from early recovery through long-term stability, the initiative responds to critical gaps across the recovery continuum.

The ARCH development will be located in Pouce Coupe, in northeastern British Columbia, serving individuals and families across the Peace River Regional District (PRRD). In addition to local access, the program will accept referrals from Vancouver and Prince George, expanding access to integrated recovery services across the province.

At full operation, the complex will include five withdrawal management units, 10 addiction treatment units, and 40 self-contained supportive housing units. A recovery-based community centre at the heart of the development will function as a resource hub, providing peer support, programming, and community connections for individuals at all stages of recovery. By aligning services and housing, the approach addresses a long-standing systems gap that leaves many people without stable options during critical stages of recovery.

“This generous investment from BMO helps close the gaps between withdrawal management, treatment, and housing,” said Rob Turnbull, Ph.D., President and CEO of Streetohome Foundation. “Stable housing, delivered alongside coordinated care, is foundational to recovery. As a demonstration project, this integrated model is designed to be shared, and we anticipate significant interest from other communities across British Columbia, Canada, and the world, looking to adapt this evidence-informed pathway to meet their own local needs.”

Indigenous-Led Healing and Cultural Partnership

The project will be operated by North Wind Wellness Centre, with the support of Treaty 8 Tribal Association, and is grounded in an approach that brings together Indigenous teachings and Western medicine to strengthen recovery outcomes.

“This project reflects what we know works: recovery is strongest when Indigenous teachings and Western medicine are brought together with stable housing and community supports,” said Isaac Hernandez, Executive Director of North Wind Wellness Centre. “With the backing of Treaty 8 Tribal Association, we are building a model of healing that is respectful, inclusive, and effective.”

BMO’s support reflects its commitment to inclusive growth and innovative solutions to complex social challenges.

“At BMO, we’re committed to helping build stronger, more resilient communities by supporting initiatives that remove barriers and expand access to critical community resources,” said James Kitamura, Regional President, BC & Yukon Region, BMO. “Streetohome’s integrated recovery housing model is a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach that strengthens the wellbeing of individuals and families – and is a community led solution that we’re proud to support.”

Once operational, the project will serve as a demonstration model with the potential to inform policy and practice across British Columbia and Canada through public-private collaboration.

About Streetohome Foundation Streetohome Foundation is a Vancouver-based non-profit dedicated to preventing and reducing homelessness through strategic investment, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.

About North Wind Wellness Centre North Wind Wellness Centre is a not-for-profit service provider delivering culturally grounded, evidence-based health and recovery services, working in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations.

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Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.  

In 2024, we directed more than $108 million to drive progress for communities, which included $101 million in philanthropic contributions to hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations across North America.

Our colleagues spent over 54,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $39 million of donations through employee-driven giving in our annual campaigns.  

For more information, please visit: BMO Gives.