NORTH VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLAs Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma say that people who are unhoused will have more access to support services across the North Shore as a result of provincial funding.
“Everyone deserves access to the care and services they need to stay healthy, especially as we continue to deal with COVID-19,” said Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour. “For too long, the needs of people experiencing homelessness have been neglected. By coming together with local governments on the North Shore, we are working to protect everyone in our community.”
The City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver, and the District of West Vancouver are receiving $860,302 to respond to the impacts of homelessness through the North Shore Unsheltered Homeless COVID-19 Temporary Supports project. The project will include mobile outreach services as well as fixed outreach services, and dedicated urban Indigenous outreach.
“The pandemic has created many challenges for everyone, especially people experiencing homelessness,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale. “Our government took action quickly to protect people and we will continue to support vulnerable people in our community as we navigate our ongoing recovery. This funding will make a big difference to people in need and benefit everyone on the North Shore.”
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.