NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Sheila Malcolmson and Doug Routley say that people who are unhoused will have more access to support services in Nanaimo as a result of provincial funding.

“Support for the unsheltered community in Nanaimo is so badly needed”, said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “Today’s investment follows the last grant we gave the City of Nanaimo, of $2.5 million for vulnerable populations’ housing and hygiene support, an additional temporary shelter, and funding for the Nanaimo Rent Bank. While the Province carries on unprecedented spending on affordable housing, with 650 units added in Nanaimo since 2017, the need continues to grow, so it’s vital that we work together.”

Nanaimo is receiving $625,000 to respond to the impacts of homelessness through Phase Two of the Nanaimo Homelessness Community Response Initiative. This project, in partnership with the Snuneymuxw First Nations, will build capacity for initiatives to support the health and safety of unsheltered people and provide assistance to Nanaimo neighbourhoods facing the greatest health and safety impacts.

“Only by working together with local leaders can we address the needs of unsheltered people in our region,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “We have listened closely to local leadership, and the funding we are providing will help further our work to create more resilient communities.”

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.