HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM EXPANDS

VICTORIA – The Province’s Homeless Outreach Program is expanding its services, adding outreach projects in nine communities operated primarily by the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC), Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman announced today.

“A pilot project in Vancouver showed that more than 80 per cent of the people helped by homeless outreach workers remained off the streets,” said Coleman. “We want to ensure other communities across the province have similar successes.”

The Homeless Outreach Program connects homeless people to income assistance, housing and community-based health services in approximately 20 communities across the province. Today’s announcement expands the program by approximately $500,000 – to $1.7 million annually – for outreach projects in Kelowna, Kamloops, Port Alberni, New Westminster, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver and Squamish. In these communities, the outreach services recently operating under one-time funding from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance will be integrated into the Homeless Outreach Program so all services are provided through one co-ordinated program.

The increased funding will provide for outreach workers to continue in each of these communities, connecting people on the street to housing, health and economic support services.

“In partnership with the provincial government, we have provided services to more than 900 people in eight of these communities, and have found homes for many who need a place to live, especially those who have addiction and/or mental health-related challenges,” said Bev Gutray, executive director of CMHA BC. “We are happy to see our work in these communities will ease the transition of homeless people into decent shelter and on to taking the first critical steps to a better future.”

Under the program, outreach workers undertake a wide range of support activities. The workers address immediate physical and safety needs such as food, warm clothing and a place to stay, and connect people with income support, including making and accompanying them to appointments. They also provide links to other support services, such as life skills training, personal health, household and financial management, crisis intervention, and various follow-up services as required.
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MEDIA CONTACT

Sam Rainboth
Manager, Public Affairs
BC Housing
604.439.4789