NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Sheila Malcolmson and Doug Routley say vulnerable people in Nanaimo will have greater access to local services which will help tackle homelessness as the community recovers from the impacts of the pandemic.

“Homelessness has hit Nanaimo hard, and the pandemic made everything worse,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “Homelessness hurts everyone – the people living it, first responders, and the businesses affected – so I’m grateful we could fund $2.5 million to support the City response.”

Nanaimo is receiving $2,500,000.00 in joint provincial and federal funding for it’s “Homelessness Community Response Initiative”. The initiative will focus on enhancing support services people need to stabilize and to exit homelessness. It will also match people to integrated housing, healthcare, and income services.

“Local governments play a big role in helping people who are facing homelessness by connecting people with the services they need,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “I am encouraged to see so many municipal governments in our region work together to provide housing for our most vulnerable and I am confident this grant will go a long way in supporting their efforts.”

MLAs Malcolmson and Routley say this investment is part of the Strengthening Communities Program which is providing support to 48 communities across B.C. Over $76 million will support local governments to combat the impacts of homelessness and keep their communities safe and healthy as they recover from the pandemic.

John Horgan and the BC New Democrat government is providing the support people need to build a recovery that leaves no one behind.