A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed by the province and the City of Nanaimo which they say will help support those experiencing homelessness.
The agreement will help the province, and the city, as they move forward to implement the Homeless Encampment Action Response Teams (HEART) and the Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) programs.
According to the province, the objectives of the MOU will be to prioritize the health and safety of people sheltering outdoors and create new temporary housing options, with the hopes of getting them into stable homes.
Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcomson says the new homes planned by the province and the city show how much the government is committed to tackling this growing issue.
“BC has opened more than 1,000 affordable homes here since 2017, with hundreds more underway, yet the need is deep and we must do more, “she says.
The province says approximately 100 temporary spaces will be funded under HEARTH at 1300 Island Highway South, and Newcastle Place, to provide an interim housing solution to free up space for those in need.
They add the lease provides housing for 50 people for transitional housing. The 50 temporary spaces at Newcastle Place on Terminal Avenue will remain open until a new 51-unit permanent supportive housing opens at 285 Prideaux St.
Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog says challenges are all around the city, but the memorandum will help give the vulnerable population a safe space to get proper care.
“No one is happy about the human misery in our streets,’ he says. “This gives the vulnerable population a place with the necessary support in place to enable them to leave street life behind them.
“The challenges of our homeless population can only be solved when we house people and recognize their needs.”
With the announcement of the memorandum of understanding, the province says Nanaimo will Prince George, Kelowna, and Abbotsford who have all implemented the same programs.
These plans are expected to add 3,900 new supportive housing units and 240 complex-care spaces provincewide.
