Kamloops is the only Interior B.C. city to take part in this unique homelessness project
KAMLOOPS – Kamloops has been taking part in a national pilot project to help eliminate homelessness and this week the community has upped the ante by signing up for a national campaign.
In total, 21 communities from across the country joined the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness in launching the 20,000 Homes Campaign.
Modelled after a successful U.S. program, the goal of the campaign is to offer permanent housing to 20,000 of Canada’s ‘most vulnerable homeless people’ by July 2018.
"The 20,000 Homes Campaign is a grassroots movement of communities working together to permanently house some of our most vulnerable homeless neighbours," Tim Richter, President and CEO of the Canadian association says. "Homelessness is a solvable problem and we believe if we work together, apply proven strategies like Housing First, we'll achieve meaningful, nationwide reductions in homelessness within three years."
The campaign will focus on homeless individuals with complex needs and who are at risk of death from homelessness, and those who are ‘chronic or episodically’ homeless. By quickly moving people into independent and permanent housing with supports and services, the approach is considered recovery-oriented.
Salt Spring Island and Sechelt-Sunshine Coast are the only other B.C. communities to sign on so far, though more cities are expected to join in the coming months. However, standing in the way of that may be a lack of information about the program. Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran says he had never heard of the program before reading about it in the news this morning.
"It's interesting that only 21 communities have signed on amongst the hundreds of communities across Canada, so I'm guessing we're not alone. However, we will certainly look into it."
The hope is to build public support and renewed federal funding in housing and support services. An October 2014 report claimed a federal housing investment of $46 per Canadian, per year, for 10 years, could ‘effectively end homelessness’ and reduce the length of stays in emergency shelters to less than two weeks.
%%embed1%%
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
6 responses
-
oh boy…they joined an organization…that should have a major effect…NOT! nothing but bureaucratic bs to make it appear they care and are doing something…instead of talking about it…stand up and be a man and “just do it” no preferences or people left out ALL DESERVE A HOME and for this Nation to be the richest in the world per capita and have its citizens homeless and/or hungry is criminal and stands as a monument to the incompetency of government:http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com%2F%2Fnews%2Fcanada%2Fmedicine-hat-has-almost-eliminated-homelessness-by-giving-homeless-people-the-keys-to-their-own-apartments
-
ASK is in the forefront to help the street people and the marginalized addicts that have problems dealing with the legalize of the social agencies and has done a remarkable job housing the street people and our homeless. Kamloops Mission provided over 45,000 meals last year too.
-
every community should check this out. even if it isn’t a big problem in there communitity.
-
I believe every one deserves a secure, comfortable, safe place to call there own. Yes, shelters help the acute, but not all… also there are so many restrictions that its like giving someone a gift with straps not just strings attached. I believe there is room in our world for everyone no matter who or what we are… and it really bugs me when we say, they or them when the last time I looked we all belong to the race called H U M a N… There will be no quick fix, but if the politicians, our government, our cities, our people got together and brainstormed and began implementing functional, attainable, maintainable options we would be closer than not….
-
Need more info….what exactly is their plan for these homeless people. Put them in some kind of fema camp? Where do they plan to put them?
-
I wonder if its enough.So many of our homeless people need more than a roof over their head.Many suffer from moderate to severe mental illness and need assistance with hygiene, money management, food preparation, and almost all aspects of life.The big mistake was closing care facilities like Tranquille farm, where the residents who were able were taught gardening, animal care, etc., and the ones who were not were at least kept safe and healthy.I hope this works, and for many I’m sure it will, but, more is needed to care for this marginalized population.That long ago error needs to be fixed.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.