VICTORIA – New Democrat MLAs Grace Lore and Rob Fleming say that people who are unhoused will have more access to support services in Victoria as a result of provincial funding.
“Our community is lucky to have amazing organizations working locally to support our unsheltered community,” said Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill. “This investment will help this work continue, so we can make life better for those most in need.”
Victoria is receiving $624,608 to respond to the impacts of homelessness through the Victoria’s Safe and Welcoming Neighbourhoods project. This project will partner with local organizations to support the urgent and immediate needs of unsheltered people and address community impacts, through funding continued operation of the Tiny Home Village, hiring and training a Community Caretake for the 900-block of Pandora Ave., extending the contacts of frontline and outreach staff, and creating a “warmline” to provide immediate support to unsheltered people in a mental health crisis.
“Our unsheltered community members are facing daily challenges that require locally-based solutions,” said Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “By supporting the work our local partners are doing, we’re helping to keep our vulnerable community members safe and healthy.”
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.