NELSON – New Democrat MLA Brittny Anderson says that people who are unhoused will have more access to support services in Nelson as a result of provincial funding.

“The Coordinated Access Hub has done incredible work supporting folks from our communities who are experiencing homelessness,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston. “I am grateful that our government is providing funding to The Hub to continue the important work of building strong, healthy, and resilient communities.”

Nelson is receiving $220,889 to respond to the impacts of homelessness through the Coordinated Access Hub project. This grant will help the project to expand and implement a new full-time Indigenous cultural support worker to provide culturally informed services and to support truth and reconciliation, as well as improving food delivery programs and providing drop-in social support services.

The BC New Democrat government is investing more than $15 million into projects in 44 communities as part of the Strengthening Communities’ Services Program. This funding stream supports local governments and modern Treaty Nations in building additional capacity to address the needs of unsheltered people in their communities, while also keeping people safe and healthy.

The projects will include services such as outreach and mental health supports, creating new temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness, and expanding shelter availability during potential extreme weather events through the program’s second intake. This investment is in addition to the $76 million provided to local governments and modern Treaty Nations through this program in 2021.

The Strengthening Communities’ Services Program is open to all municipalities, regional districts, Islands Trust and modern Treaty Nations in B.C. It is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.