MISSION – New Democrat MLA Bob D’Eith says that a $15,000 grant will help local government to boost supports for vulnerable and low-income people in Mission.

 “Our efforts to address poverty in Mission must be based on the needs of the community,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge – Mission. “I’m pleased that this funding will help us develop grassroots solutions to these complex issues.”

MLA D’Eith says the grant funding will support dialogue and action planning at the local level in four focus areas: social support, mental health and addiction, food security, and access to health care.

The local investment is part of the Poverty Reduction Planning and Action Program which will empower 54 local governments across the province, through 29 projects, to develop poverty reduction plans that directly support people in their communities.

The 29 projects are receiving a total of $1.4 million, from a $5 million provincial grant to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). The grant is part of the New Democrat government’s commitment to partner with local governments and communities in poverty reduction initiatives, as part of TogetherBC, B.C.’s first poverty reduction strategy.