PORT ALBERNI – New Democrat MLA Josie Osborne says that people who are unhoused will have more access to support services as a result of provincial funding being distributed to the Uchucklesaht Tribe.

“I am so pleased that a local community is receiving this grant to support services that help keep people safe and healthy,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “These community-led projects will have a big impact, especially for the most vulnerable members of our communities. I look forward to seeing the positive difference these funds will bring over the coming months.”

The Uchucklesaht Tribe is receiving $71,000 to respond to the impacts of homelessness through the project Building Community Bridges. This project will improve the capacity for existing support programs, better coordinate the support efforts of multiple agencies and organizations, and provide cultural safety, harm reduction and trauma-informed practice training for those working to support unsheltered citizens.

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.