CASTLEGAR – New Democrat MLA Katrine Conroy says that people who are unhoused will have more access to support services in Kootenay West as a result of provincial funding.
“I am pleased that these grants are coming to the Kootenays, to help our communities address complex local challenges,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West. “These grants mean that more programs can be built to connect people with services they need, while supporting our vulnerable community members.”
Castlegar is receiving $112,500 to respond to the impacts of homelessness through the project Strengthening our Coordinated Community Response to Homelessness. This project will work to upgrade an existing emergency shelter, develop a housing outreach pilot program, and improve community communication and collaboration across organizations and key stakeholders in the community, with the goal of supporting underhoused people in accessing housing and improving their health and safety.
Trail is also receiving $179,054 for the project Homeless Reconnect Workers. This project will continue a program that partners with Career Development Services to hire two Homeless Reconnect Workers, who will use trauma-informed practices to support individuals experiencing homelessness.
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.