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Homelessness Action Strategy
and Implementation Plan For
New Westminster
December 2006
Prepared for the City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition of New Westminster
Table of Contents
HOMELESSNESS ACTION STRATEGY................................................................................. 4
HOUSING...................................................................................................................................... 5
Emergency Shelters ................................................................................................................. 5
Transitional and Supported Housing ...................................................................................... 7
Independent Housing............................................................................................................... 9
INCOME ...................................................................................................................................... 11
SUPPORTS .................................................................................................................................. 14
Addiction Services ................................................................................................................. 14
Drop-In Services.................................................................................................................... 14
Outreach Services.................................................................................................................. 14
Health Care ........................................................................................................................... 15
Prevention Services ............................................................................................................... 16
ACTIONS BY RESPONSIBILITY........................................................................................... 17
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN..................................................................................................... 21
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE.......................................................................................... 30
4
Homelessness Action Strategy This Homelessness Action Strategy for New Westminster (the Strategy) is based on gaps in services to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness identified through research for in the report, The Homeless and At Risk Population in New Westminster and a Needs Assessment of Services,1 as well as relevant studies, information from service providers and feedback during workshops with the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition. The Strategy sets targeted actions and priorities for New Westminster while remaining consistent with the priorities and objectives of 3 Ways to Home, the GVRD Regional Homelessness Strategy endorsed by member cities, including New Westminster. 3 Ways to Home uses varied and extensive approach of the Continuum of Housing and Support as the framework to address homelessness. The Continuum of Housing and Support consists of three main categories, Housing, Income and Support and a number of sub-categories.
The Continuum of Housing and Support for alleviating homelessness
Housing Continuum Emergency shelters Transition houses Transitional housing Supported housing Independent housing
Adequate Income Employment Employment Insurance Income assistance
Support Services Addiction services Drop-in centres Outreach services Mental health services Health services Prevention services
This Strategy also remains consistent with the recently completed Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy 2006-2015, which recognizes the increasing prominence in Canada and the United States of the concept of housing first. Housing first is an approach to addressing homelessness based on the premise that homeless individuals and families can best address the reasons for their homelessness from a position of stable housing. Using the housing first approach, homeless individuals are moved directly, and as quickly as possible, into permanent housing, either from the street or from an emergency shelter, and are linked to services to help maintain their housing. Housing first leads to an approach to homelessness that focuses on the availability of affordable housing and prevention of eviction. Supported housing is now considered by many to be the key factor (though not the only factor) in addressing homelessness, especially for the chronically homeless. Even with a housing first approach, the complete range of services in the Continuum remain necessary to fully address homelessness. However, not all communities need to offer the entire list. Some services might adequately be delivered either by joint ventures between communities or on a regional basis. It is hoped that the City of New Westminster and the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition will foster working partnerships with neighbouring municipalities to meet the objectives of this Strategy. The Coalition and the City should also work in cooperation with the Greater Vancouver
1 Prepared for the City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition of New
Westminster, 2006
5
Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness, responsible for implementing 3 Ways to Home. The Actions in this Strategy largely follow the Continuum of Housing and Support. Actions are numbered for convenience only, and are not ranked by priority.
Action 1. The Homelessness Coalition of New Westminster to formalize its
mandate to guide it in implementing the Homelessness Action Strategy.
As well, the Coalition to elect a chairperson or co-chairs and appoint
working subcommittees to assist with implementing actions.
Action 2. The Homelessness Coalition to work in cooperation with homelessness
coalitions in neighbouring municipalities such as Burnaby and the Tri-
Cities, and appropriate agencies such as Fraser Health, to coordinate
services for the homeless and those at risk.
Action 3. The City of New Westminster to work in cooperation with
neighbouring municipalities, and organizations such as BC Housing,
Fraser Health and other appropriate federal or provincial agencies, to
establish a mechanism for coordinating services for the homeless and
those at risk.
Housing
Action 4. The Homelessness Coalition to develop a model for a continuum of
housing and shelter needs for New Westminster.
Emergency Shelters In 3 Ways to Home and the Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy 2006-2015, communities in the GVRD are organized by sub-region. New Westminster is in the sub-region called the Inner Municipalities, which also includes Burnaby and Richmond. The three communities have the following existing shelter beds:
New Westminster 46 shelter beds, 34 of which serve men only.
Nine cold/wet weather beds, also serving men only.
None of the beds are minimum barrier, and there are no beds
to accommodate those with pets
Richmond Seven permanent beds and three cold/wet weather beds
Burnaby No emergency beds or cold/wet weather capacity
6
Gap Action
There is a need for minimum barrier, enhanced*,
emergency shelter beds for all populations
5. The Homelessness Coalition to determine how many
minimum barrier, enhanced, 24-hour emergency shelter
beds are required for which populations (e.g. men, women
with or without children who are not fleeing abuse,
couples), and take the lead to advocate for new capacity
with BC Housing and other appropriate partners. *Minimum barrier refers to access to flexible, non-judgemental service based on need, without restrictions to lifestyle, conditions (e.g. intoxicated), eligibility, or number of times receiving the service, in a building that is accessible to everyone regardless of physical condition while acknowledging that the acuteness of health needs, behaviour or level of intoxication may limit the ability of the provider to give service. Enhanced means that a full range of services are offered at the shelter.
Service providers in New Westminster noted the especial need for minimum barrier emergency shelter beds for women with or without children not fleeing abuse, and for couples. An estimation of needed beds Shelter Net BC recently completed a ten-year emergency shelter plan for the Greater Vancouver Region. While the focus of the Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy is on ‘housing first’ solutions to homelessness, i.e. moving homeless people quickly into permanent housing with supports, it recognizes that emergency shelters are an important crisis response and that there are gaps in available shelter resources for certain sub-populations.2 It also recognizes that an adequate distribution of resources is necessary to meet the needs of all persons who are homeless. The following statement describes the major assumption under which the Shelter Strategy was prepared and applies to the whole region:
All levels of government will take responsibility for providing between 678 and 976 permanent housing units in 10 years to meet some of the accommodation needs of homeless persons. If this does not occur, then there will be more street homeless, and the shelter strategy will need to be amended to address the shortfall.
The Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy recommended a number of new emergency shelter beds to be provided in the period 2006-2010 for the Inner Municipalities region.
Client group Number of beds/units
Seniors (55+) 15
Adult men and women 44
Youth (19-24) 43
Single women 30
2 Jim Woodward & Associates Inc, et al, From shelter to home…Greater Vancouver Shelter
Strategy 2006-2015, May 2006
7
Further emergency shelter gaps
GAP ACTION There is a need for a protocol with the New Westminster Humane Society to shelter a pet while the owner stays in a New Westminster shelter or enters a treatment facility.
6. The Homelessness Coalition to negotiate a protocol with
the New Westminster Humane Society to shelter pets
while the owner stays in a New Westminster shelter or
enters a treatment facility.
Current shelter beds may not always be able to respond to the needs of seniors.
7. The Homelessness Coalition, in consultation with
appropriate seniors services agencies, to assess whether
existing shelter capacity accommodates the age-related
issues faced by homeless seniors
Adults over the age of 65 receive federal pensions whereas the shelter system is provincially operated. Older adults do not have access to the shelter portion of BC Income Assistance to pay for their accommodation. As well, a majority of shelters are not equipped for people with age-related mobility issues, such as using a wheelchair or a walker. Many shelters also have a policy whereby clients must be out of the shelter during the day, which is inappropriate for most older adults. Some shelter providers have stated that older clients present with too many health issues to be accommodated on their premises.
NB: Pending a final decision on future plans for the redevelopment of the
Garfield Hotel site, there may be a reduction in the number of current
emergency shelter beds in New Westminster for men. This might then
constitute a further gap to be addressed by in Action 5. However, if Actions in
the Strategy such as the development of transitional and supported housing are
realized, this may reduce the need for additional shelter capacity. As well, if
neighbouring communities establish shelter capacity, this may also reduce the
need in New Westminster.
Transitional and Supported Housing 3 Ways to Home refers to transitional and supported housing as affordable housing that includes ongoing supports and services to residents who cannot live independently and may not become fully self-sufficient. This form of housing may be located in a purpose-designed building or in scattered site apartments. Added support services may include providing life skills, training and support with housekeeping, meal preparation, banking
8
support and access to medical care, counselling, referrals, crisis response and intervention. Housing of this type enables individuals to stabilize their personal situation and re-establish connections with the community.
� Transitional housing accommodates residents for a particular time period, most often somewhere between six months and two years, although extensions may be possible.
� Supported housing is intended to be permanent and different types meet
different needs. For example, supported housing is an important resource for people with special needs including those with severe and persistent mental illness. It is also an important part of the continuum for addiction treatment. Research has shown that supported housing is very effective in reducing homelessness.
Chronically homeless
GAP ACTION
8. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition to coordinate a Housing Outreach Strategy.
There is a need for
services to the
chronically homeless. 9. The City of New Westminster to coordinate outreach to
people who are street homeless to assist eligible people to
access BC Employment and Assistance benefits and other
sources of income and help connect people who are street
homeless to a Ministry of Employment and Income
Assistance Resources worker and those of other services.
There is a need for a
minimum barrier, harm
reduction supported
housing facility for the
chronically homeless.
10. The Homelessness Coalition to determine an appropriate
model for a minimum barrier, harm reduction, supported
housing facility for the chronically homeless in the City
and to take the lead to advocate with BC Housing and
other potential funding partners for such a facility.
City staff estimate that between 20 and 30 homeless individuals who have multiple challenges such as addictions and mental health issues are chronically homeless on the streets of New Westminster. In 5½ months in 2006, the New Westminster’s Bylaw Officer moved 58 different homeless individuals sleeping on the City’s streets.
9
Adults and youth who are homeless and at risk GAP ACTION
11. The Homelessness Coalition to prioritize actions for
filling the gap of additional transitional and permanent
supported housing for adults and youth who are
homeless and at risk.
There is a need for
additional transitional
and permanent
supported housing for
adults and youth who
are homeless and at risk. 12. The Homelessness Coalition to support New
Westminster housing providers in their applications for
transitional and supported housing developments and
assist with appropriate strategies to ensure that
applications for rezoning are approved. If required, the
Coalition may decide to prioritize proposals and make
recommendations.
� At the Cliff Block there are transitional residents who have come to the end of their term, but cannot live independently. There are few options for these people.
� Currently there are only five transitional beds for youth in New Westminster
located at Agape House.
� There are 14 mental health clients on the waiting list for Supported Independent Living units.
Older adults
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
transitional and
supported housing
capacity to serve older
residents.
13. The Homelessness Coalition in consultation with seniors
services providers, to assess whether the existing
transitional and supported house capacity accommodates
the age-related issues faced by homeless seniors and
those at risk.
Independent Housing
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
additional affordable
independent housing.
14. The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New
Westminster to strongly advocate with the provincial
government to restore its social housing supply program
and the federal government to expand funding for social
housing.
10
15. The City of New Westminster to take leadership to assist
with meeting affordable housing needs through various
means such as fast tracking of development applications
where there are benefits to the City, density bonuses,
secondary suite policies, relief of development costs
charges and taxes, and other appropriate means.
� The number of projected shelter beds contained in the Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy is predicated on a minimum number of permanent housing units to be built in the next ten years throughout the region.
� As of August 2006, 541 households who list their last permanent address as New
Westminster were on the BC housing registry list waiting for social housing units. Of these, 89 were homeless.
� For the fiscal year April 2005 through March 2006, the housing support worker at
Fraserside Community Services saw approximately 180 clients from New Westminster.
“Scattered addresses” market rental subsidies for mental health clients
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
additional “scattered
addresses” market
rental subsidies for
mental health clients.
16. The Homelessness Coalition to support service
providers in their efforts to increase the number of
”scattered addresses” market housing rental subsidies
available to mental health clients living in New
Westminster.
� There are few affordable housing options available in New Westminster for
mental health consumers. “If there were more, such as from BC Housing or ‘scattered addresses’ subsidies, then the stock of mental health housing could better serve clients with support/skill developmental needs. People sometimes are kept in SIL units and transitional housing options far longer than is necessary because to move them would involve moving them into poverty and unaffordable housing.”3
� Unlike the SAFER program, where any senior who qualifies can receive a
housing subsidy, the scattered housing subsides for mental health clients, administered in New Westminster by CMHA-Simon Fraser, are limited to 20. This is clearly inadequate, as the waiting list has been closed because there is almost no turnover.
3 From survey of New Westminster service providers.
11
“Scattered addresses” rental subsidy program that is not limited to mental health clients
GAP ACTION
There is a need for a
“scattered addresses”
rental subsidy program
that is not limited to
mental health clients,
but is open to those who
are homeless or at risk
with challenges in their
lives but who can live
independently.
17. The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New
Westminster to advocate with the province for a rental
subsidy program for those who are homeless or at risk
with challenges in their lives who can live independently
but who do not qualify for the recently announced Rental
Assistance Program or do not live with a mental illness.
Coalition members identified the need for independent housing options for those with challenges such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and brain injuries.
Income
BC Income Assistance and shelter allowance.
GAP ACTION
18. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other homelessness
coalitions and municipalities, to strongly advocate with
the provincial government to increase support benefits
available through the BC Employment and Assistance
program to at least reflect cost of living increases since
1991.
There is a need to
increase the BC Income
Assistance and shelter
allowance.
19. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other homelessness
coalitions and municipalities, to strongly advocate the
provincial government to raise the shelter component of
income assistance to at least reflect cost of living increases
since 1991.
12
Minimum wage
GAP ACTION
20. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to
strongly advocate with the provincial government to
increase the minimum wage so that people who are
employed can afford housing without paying more than
30% of their income on shelter costs.
21. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to
strongly advocate with the provincial government to
eliminate the $6 training wage rate
There is a need to
increase minimum
wage.
22. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to
advocate with the provincial government to monitor the
minimum wage and update it periodically so that it keeps
pace with increases in the cost of living.
BC Shelter Allowances are considerably lower than average rents in New Westminster. As well, a single person earning minimum wage, currently $8/hour, falls below the core need income thresholds4 for any sized apartment in New Westminster. They also fall below the Low Income Cut-Off for a single-person household. As can be seen from the following table, current shelter allowances and minimum wage rates make finding adequate, affordable accommodation in New Westminster largely impossible.
Rental affordability by unit type, New Westminster
Unit type
Average rental costs, 2005
Core Need Income Thresholds by unit size
Monthly income needed to reach affordability*
Minimum Housing Wage: Hourly wage needed to reach affordability**
Monthly Shelter Allowance from BC Government Income Assistance
Bachelor $543 $27,500 $2,291 $13.22 Single person $325
1-Bedroom
$656 $31,000 $2,583 $14.90 2 adults $520
2-Bedroom
$826 $37,500 $3,125 $18.02 Single mother, 2 children of same gender
$555
3-Bedroom
$1,043 $44,000 $3,667 $21.15 2 adults, 5 children
$695
* Affordability is paying 30% of gross income on shelter costs ** Based on earning the hourly wage for 52 weeks and a 40-hour week
4 Core Need Income Threshold refers to the income a household needs to rent the average,
appropriate-sized unit in the private market, where the rent is no more than 30% of gross income. It is the income used by BC Housing to determine if a household is eligible for social housing.
13
Access to BC Income Assistance and shelter allowance.
GAP ACTION
23. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to
encourage the provincial government to revise eligibility
criteria and the applications process for BC Employment
and Assistance to enable easier access for those needing
income assistance, including immediate temporary access
until proof of eligibility can be obtained.
24. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to
encourage the Ministry of Employment and Income
Assistance to provide additional outreach assistance to
adults and youth with multiple challenges who wish to
apply for benefits.
There is a need for a less
complicated access to
BC Income Assistance
and shelter allowance.
25. The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness
Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities and
other homelessness coalitions, to encourage the provincial
government to reinstate the exemption of a portion of
earnings as an incentive for Income Assistance recipients
to seek employment.
In April 2002, several changes were made to the BC Employment Assistance program income support system that affect the ability of individuals to obtain assistance. People who intend to apply for assistance must:
� Contact a BC Employment and Income Assistance office, and complete an appointment form;
� Obtain the work search guidelines information sheet; � Receive an intake interview date, typically within three weeks; � Conduct a three-week work search and complete an orientation session while
awaiting an intake interview; � Attend the intake interview, where a worker will determine the applicant’s
eligibility; and, � Complete an orientation interview as part of the application process.
As a result, an applicant must wait at least three weeks before being eligible for assistance, except perhaps in exceptional cases, and the review process may take more than three weeks. As well, other changes have affected the ability of individuals to access or maintain benefits, and many applicants find the whole process too daunting and give up applying.
14
Supports Addiction Services
GAP ACTION
There is a need for more
addictions services.
26. The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New
Westminster seek information from Fraser Health
regarding planned changes in addiction services capacity
for New Westminster residents and strongly advocate for
increased services such as detox and other addiction
services. There are generally 12-16 people on the waiting list for addiction services at Fraserside. In overcoming substance abuse, it is important to have services available when the person is ready and willing to accept treatment. Drop-In Services
GAP ACTION
There is a need for more
comprehensive,
minimum barrier drop-
in services in New
Westminster.
27. The Homelessness Coalition to review examples of
comprehensive minimum barrier homeless drop-in
facilities such as those under development in Victoria 5 to:
� Determine the appropriate type of facility and
whether it should be integrated with a housing
facility;
� Determine how to select a service provider to
operate facility;
� Determine appropriate location;
� Identify funding partners; and
� Support an application for funding by the service
provider
There is no minimum barrier service in New Westminster for all person to come in off the street to shower, use laundry facilities, access meal service, telephones and connect to other services. Several of the homeless and formerly homeless interviewed for the report stated that without access to a telephone it is difficult to find housing.
Outreach Services
5 Our Place, the Our Place Society in Victoria.
15
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
sufficient multicultural
services and integration
opportunities for
immigrant women who
have left their homes
because of abuse.
28. Monarch Transition House to detail the requirement for
multicultural services and integration opportunities for
immigrant women who have left their homes because of
abuse and enter into protocol arrangements with service
providers to link women to appropriate support from
other providers in the community.
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
service providers to
recognize the specific
trauma experienced by
women and their
children who are fleeing
abuse and having to
leave their homes, and
be flexible in providing
appropriate services to
this population.
29. The Monarch Transition House to develop an
educational program that details the issues facing women
and their children fleeing abuse and having to leave their
homes. This program will include a series of
recommended initiatives to help service providers adapt
services to meet the special needs of women and children
using transition house services.
Monarch Transition House identified the need for appropriate services for immigrant women and children fleeing abuse. Health Care
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
primary care services for
adults without a Care
Card.
30. The Homelessness Coalition to strongly advocate that
Fraser Health determine the best method of delivering
primary care services to adults without a Care Card.
Homeless people have an increased risk of dying prematurely. One factors contributing to this early mortality is a delay in seeking care. A Toronto study of the homeless found that individuals visited an emergency room three times more than did housed formerly homeless individuals. In New Westminster, there is a Fraser Health drop-in youth clinic operated by Lower Mainland Purpose Society for youth under 21 that provides primary care and does not require a care card. There is no comparable facility for adults. As well, Royal Columbian Hospital reports that many of their patients with no fixed address do not have Care Cards, preventing them from accessing general practitioners and walk-in clinics.
16
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
comprehensive dental
care to adults who are
unable to afford a
dentist.
31. The Homelessness Coalition strongly advocate that
Fraser Health determine the best method of providing
dental care to adults who are unable to afford a dentist.
All available dental health programs in the city are for children, and they are limited.
Prevention Services
GAP ACTION
There is a need for
prevention services for
households facing
eviction such as legal
services or financial
assistance such as a rent
bank.
32. The Homelessness Coalition to determine how best to
deliver additional prevention services for households
facing eviction such as legal services or financial
assistance such as a rent bank. (These services may best
be delivered on a regional basis.)
From 3 Ways to Home, the updated Regional Homelessness Plan for Greater Vancouver: “Prevention services are defined as programs or services aimed at helping to prevent people from becoming homeless. This is a particularly important area because the benefits of these services can help reduce future financial and human costs. The most obvious way to prevent homelessness is to ensure that the full continuum of housing and supports are in place and that everyone has adequate affordable housing, income and support services. Prevention efforts can be direct, as in helping a family that is about to be evicted because they can’t afford next month’s rent by providing them with the necessary funds, or providing counselling that helps prevent the breakdown of a family in crisis. Indirect prevention services address collective needs, such as advocacy work to protect tenants’ rights.”
17
ACTIONS BY RESPONSIBILITY
Formalize/ Determine/Negotiate/ Assess/
Prioritize/Review/Support/ Take Leadership/Coordinate
Advocate
HOMELESSNESS COALITION
#1 The Homelessness Coalition of New Westminster to formalize
its mandate to guide it in implementing the Homelessness Action
Strategy. As well, the Coalition to elect a chairperson or co-chairs
and appoint working subcommittees to assist with implementing
actions.
#30 The Homelessness Coalition to strongly advocate
that Fraser Health determine the best method of
delivering primary care services to adults without a
Care Card.
#2 The Homelessness Coalition to work in cooperation with
homelessness coalitions in neighbouring municipalities such as
Burnaby and the Tri Cities, and appropriate agencies such as
Fraser Health, to coordinate services for the homeless and those at
risk.
#31 The Homelessness Coalition strongly advocate
that Fraser Health determine the best method of
providing dental care to adults who are unable to
afford a dentist.
#4 The Homelessness Coalition to develop a model for a
continuum of housing and shelter needs for New Westminster
#5 The Homelessness Coalition to determine how many
minimum barrier, enhanced, 24-hour emergency shelter beds are
required for which populations (e.g. men, women with or without
children not fleeing abuse, couples), and take the lead to advocate
for new capacity with BC Housing and other appropriate partners.
#6 The Homelessness Coalition to negotiate a protocol with the
New Westminster Humane Society to shelter pets while the owner
stays in a New Westminster shelter or enters a treatment facility
#7 The Homelessness Coalition, in consultation with appropriate
seniors services agencies, to assess whether existing shelter
capacity accommodates the age-related issues faced by homeless
seniors
#10 The Homelessness Coalition to determine an appropriate
model for a minimum barrier, harm reduction, supported housing
facility for the chronically homeless in the City and to take the
lead to advocate with BC Housing and other potential funding
partners for such a facility.
#11 The Homelessness Coalition to prioritize actions for filling the
gap of additional transitional and permanent supported housing
for adults and youth who are homeless and at risk
#12 The Homelessness Coalition to support New Westminster
housing providers in their applications for transitional and
supported housing developments and assist with appropriate
strategies to ensure that applications for rezoning are approved. If
required, the Coalition may decide to prioritize proposals and
make recommendations.
#13 The Homelessness Coalition in consultation with seniors
18
Formalize/ Determine/Negotiate/ Assess/
Prioritize/Review/Support/ Take Leadership/Coordinate
Advocate
services providers, to assess whether the existing transitional and
supported house capacity accommodates the age-related issues
faced by homeless seniors and those at risk.
#16 The Homelessness Coalition to support service providers in
their efforts to increase the number of ”scattered addresses”
market housing rental subsidies available to mental health clients
living in New Westminster.
#27 The Homelessness Coalition to review examples of
comprehensive minimum barrier homeless drop-in facilities such
as the one under development in Victoria to:
� Determine the appropriate type of facility and
whether it should be integrated with a housing
facility;
� Determine how to select a service provider to operate
facility;
� Determine appropriate location;
� Identify funding partners; and
Support an application for funding by the service provider.
#32 The Homelessness Coalition to determine how best to deliver
additional prevention services for households facing eviction such
as legal services or financial assistance such as a rent bank. (These
services may be best delivered on a regional basis.)
CITY OF NEW WESTMINSTER
#3 The City of New Westminster to work in cooperation with
neighbouring municipalities, and organizations such as BC
Housing, Fraser Health and other appropriate federal or
provincial agencies, to establish a mechanism for coordinating
services for the homeless and those at risk.
#9 The City of New Westminster to coordinate outreach to people
who are street homeless to assist eligible people to access BC
Employment and Assistance benefits and other sources of income
and help connect people who are street homeless to a Ministry of
Employment and Income Assistance Resources worker and those
of other services.
#15 The City of New Westminster to take leadership to assist with
meeting affordable housing needs through various means such as
fast tracking of development applications where there are benefits
to the City, density bonuses, secondary suite policies, relief of
development costs charges and taxes, and other appropriate
means.
19
Formalize/ Determine/Negotiate/ Assess/
Prioritize/Review/Support/ Take Leadership/Coordinate
Advocate
HOMELESSNESS COALITION + CITY OF NEW WESTMINSTER
#8 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition
to coordinate a Housing Outreach Strategy
#14 The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New
Westminster to strongly advocate with the provincial
government to restore its social housing supply
program and the federal government to expand
funding for social housing.
#26 The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New Westminster
seek information from Fraser Health regarding planned changes
in addiction services capacity to New Westminster residents and
strongly advocate for increased services such as detox and other
addiction services.
#17 The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New
Westminster t to advocate with the province for a
rental subsidy program for those who are homeless or
at risk with challenges in their lives who can live
independently but who do not qualify for the recently
announced Rental Assistance Program or do not live
with a mental illness
#18 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
homelessness coalitions and municipalities, to
strongly advocate with the provincial government to
increase support benefits available through the BC
Employment and Assistance program to at least
reflect cost of living increases since 1991.
#19 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
homelessness coalitions and municipalities, to
strongly advocate the provincial government to raise
the shelter component of income assistance to at least
reflect cost of living increases since 1991.
#20 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
municipalities, to strongly advocate with the
provincial government to increase the minimum wage
so that people who are employed can afford housing
in New Westminster without paying more than 30%
of their income in shelter costs.
#21 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
municipalities, to strongly advocate with the
provincial government to eliminate the $6 training
wage rate.
20
Formalize/ Determine/Negotiate/ Assess/
Prioritize/Review/Support/ Take Leadership/Coordinate
Advocate
#22 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
municipalities, to advocate with the provincial
government to monitor the minimum wage and
update it periodically so that it keeps pace with
increases in the cost of living.
#23 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
municipalities, to encourage the provincial
government to revise eligibility criteria and the
applications process for BC Employment and
Assistance to enable easier access for those needing
income assistance, including immediate temporary
access until proof of eligibility can be obtained.
#24 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
municipalities, to encourage the Ministry of
Employment and Income Assistance to provide
additional outreach assistance to adults and youth
with multiple challenges who wish to apply for
benefits.
#25 The City of New Westminster and the
Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other
municipalities, and other homelessness coalitions, to
encourage the provincial government to reinstate the
exemption of a portion of earnings as an incentive for
Income Assistance recipients to seek employment.
MONARCH TRANSITION HOUSE
#28 Monarch Transition House to detail the requirement for
multicultural services and integration opportunities for immigrant
women who have left their homes because of abuse and enter into
protocol arrangements with service providers to link women to
appropriate support from other providers in the community.
#29 Monarch Transition House to develop an educational
program that details the issues facing women and their children
fleeing abuse and having to leave their homes. This program will
include a series of recommended initiatives to help service
providers adapt services to meet the special needs of women and
children using transition house services.
21
New
Westm
inste
r H
om
ele
ssn
ess A
cti
on
Str
ate
gy
Imp
lem
en
tati
on
pla
n
Th
e f
oll
ow
ing
Im
ple
men
tati
on
Pla
n is a
reco
mm
en
dati
on
on
ly.
No
fo
rmal d
iscu
ssio
n h
as y
et
been
un
dert
aken
wit
h f
un
ders
n
or
has e
nd
ors
em
en
t b
een
ob
tain
ed
reg
ard
ing
fu
nd
ing
.
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
A
ction
1.
The H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion o
f N
ew
Westm
inste
r to
fo
rmaliz
e its
mandate
to g
uid
e it in
im
ple
menting
the
Hom
ele
ssness A
ctio
n S
trate
gy.
As
well,
the C
oalit
ion t
o
ele
ct
a c
hairpers
on o
r co-c
hairs a
nd a
ppoin
t w
ork
ing
subcom
mitte
es to a
ssis
t w
ith im
ple
menting a
ctio
ns.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
January
2007
N/A
Action
2.
The H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o w
ork
in c
oopera
tion w
ith
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions in
neig
hbouring m
unic
ipalit
ies s
uch
as B
urn
aby
and the T
ri C
itie
s,
and a
ppro
priate
agencie
s
such a
s F
raser
Health, to
coord
inate
serv
ices f
or
the
hom
ele
ss a
nd t
hose
at risk.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
June
2007
N/A
Action
3.
The C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r to
work
in c
oopera
tion w
ith
neig
hbouring
munic
ipalit
ies,
and o
rganiz
ations s
uch a
s B
C
Housin
g, F
raser
Health a
nd o
ther
appro
priate
federa
l or
pro
vincia
l ag
encie
s, to
esta
blis
h a
mechanis
m for
coord
inating
serv
ices f
or
the h
om
ele
ss a
nd t
hose a
t risk
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r June
2007
N/A
Ho
usin
g
Action
4.
The H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o d
eve
lop a
model f
or
a
continuum
of
housin
g a
nd s
helter
needs
for
New
W
est
min
ste
r.
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
Marc
h
2007
N/A
E
me
rge
nc
y s
he
lte
r s
ys
tem
22
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
5.
The H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o d
ete
rmin
e h
ow
many
min
imum
barr
ier,
enhance
d,
24-h
our
em
erg
ency
shelter
beds a
re r
eq
uired for
whic
h p
opula
tions (
e.g
. m
en,
wom
en w
ith o
r w
ithout
child
ren n
ot fleein
g a
buse,
couple
s),
and take the lead t
o a
dvo
cate
for
new
capacity
with B
C H
ousin
g a
nd o
ther
appro
priate
part
ners
.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
Marc
h
2007
BC
Housin
g
and o
ther
appro
priate
fu
nders
6.
The H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o n
eg
otiate
a p
roto
col w
ith
the N
ew
Westm
inste
r H
um
ane S
ocie
ty to s
helte
r pets
w
hile
the o
wner
sta
ys in a
New
West
min
ste
r shelte
r or
ente
rs a
tre
atm
ent fa
cili
ty
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
Hum
ane
Socie
ty
Marc
h
2007
N/A
Action
7.
The H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
onsultation w
ith
appro
priate
senio
rs s
erv
ices a
gencie
s, to
assess
wheth
er
exi
sting
shelter
capacity
accom
modate
s the
ag
e-r
ela
ted issues faced b
y hom
ele
ss s
enio
rs
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
senio
rs s
erv
ices
Marc
h
2007
N/A
T
ran
sit
ion
al a
nd
Su
pp
ort
ed
Ho
us
ing
A
ction
8.
The C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o c
oord
inate
a H
ousin
g O
utr
each S
trate
gy.
N
ew
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
the
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r
Ong
oin
g
N/A
23
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
9.
The C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r to
coord
inate
outr
each t
o
people
who a
re s
treet hom
ele
ss to a
ssis
t elig
ible
people
to
access B
C E
mplo
yment
and A
ssis
tance b
enefits
and
oth
er
sourc
es o
f in
com
e a
nd h
elp
connect
people
who
are
str
eet
hom
ele
ss to a
Min
istr
y of
Em
plo
yment and
Incom
e A
ssis
tance R
esourc
es w
ork
er
and those o
f oth
er
serv
ices.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and M
EIA
Ong
oin
g
ME
IA
10. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o d
ete
rmin
e a
n
appro
priate
model f
or
a m
inim
um
barr
ier,
harm
re
duction, support
ed h
ousin
g facili
ty f
or
the c
hro
nic
ally
hom
ele
ss in the C
ity
and t
o t
ake t
he lead to a
dvo
cate
w
ith B
C H
ousin
g a
nd o
ther
pote
ntial f
undin
g p
art
ners
for
such a
facili
ty.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
Febru
ary
2007
BC
Housin
g,
ME
IA a
nd
oth
er
part
ners
to
be
identified
11. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o p
rioritize
actions for
filli
ng t
he g
ap o
f additi
onal tr
ansiti
onal and p
erm
anent
support
ed h
ousin
g for
adults a
nd y
outh
who a
re
hom
ele
ss a
nd a
t risk
.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
April
2007
N/A
12. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o s
upport
New
W
est
min
ste
r housin
g p
rovi
ders
in t
heir a
pplic
ations f
or
transitio
nal and s
upport
ed h
ousin
g d
eve
lopm
ents
and
assis
t w
ith a
ppro
priate
str
ate
gie
s to e
nsure
that
applic
ations f
or
rezo
nin
g a
re a
ppro
ved.
If r
eq
uired, th
e
Coalit
ion m
ay
decid
e t
o p
rioritize
pro
posals
and m
ake
recom
mendations.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
the
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r
Ong
oin
g
N/A
13. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion in c
onsultation w
ith s
enio
rs
serv
ices p
rovi
ders
to a
sse
ss w
heth
er
the e
xisting
tr
ansitio
nal and s
upport
ed h
ouse c
apacity
accom
modate
s th
e a
ge-r
ela
ted issues faced b
y hom
ele
ss s
enio
rs a
nd t
hose a
t risk
.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
senio
rs s
erv
ices
pro
viders
Marc
h
2007
N/A
24
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
In
de
pe
nd
en
t H
ou
sin
g
14. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd the C
ity
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r to
str
ong
ly a
dvo
cate
with t
he p
rovi
ncia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
rest
ore
its
socia
l housin
g s
upply
pro
gra
m
and t
he f
edera
l gove
rnm
ent to
exp
and f
undin
g f
or
socia
l housin
g.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
the
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r
Ong
oin
g
BC
Housin
g
15. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r to
take leaders
hip
to a
ssis
t w
ith m
eeting a
fford
able
housin
g n
eeds thro
ug
h v
arious
means s
uch a
s fa
st tr
ack
ing
of
deve
lopm
ent applic
ations
where
there
are
benefits
to the C
ity,
density
bonuses,
secondary
suite p
olic
ies, re
lief
of
deve
lopm
ent
costs
charg
es a
nd taxe
s,
and o
ther
appro
priate
me
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r O
ng
oin
g
To b
e
dete
rmin
ed
16. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o s
upport
serv
ice
pro
viders
in t
heir e
ffort
s to
incre
ase t
he n
um
ber
of
”scattere
d a
ddre
sses”
mark
et housin
g r
enta
l subsid
ies
ava
ilable
to m
enta
l health
clie
nts
liv
ing
in N
ew
W
est
min
ste
r
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
pro
viders
Ong
oin
g
BC
Housin
g
Ac
tio
n
17. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd the C
ity
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r to
advo
cate
with t
he p
rovi
nce f
or
a r
enta
l subsid
y pro
gra
m f
or
those
who a
re h
om
ele
ss o
r at risk
with c
halle
ng
es
in t
heir liv
es w
ho c
an liv
e independently
but
who d
o n
ot q
ualif
y fo
r th
e r
ecently
announced R
enta
l A
ssis
tance P
rog
ram
or
do n
ot liv
e w
ith a
menta
l ill
ness.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
the C
ity
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r
Ma
y 2007
BC
Housin
g
Inco
me
25
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
18. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd m
unic
ipalit
ies,
to s
trong
ly a
dvo
cate
with
the p
rovi
ncia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
incre
ase s
upport
benefits
ava
ilable
thro
ug
h the B
C E
mplo
yment and A
ssis
tance
pro
gra
m to a
t le
ast
reflect
cost
of
livin
g incre
ases s
ince
1991.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
ME
IA
19. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd m
unic
ipalit
ies,
to s
trong
ly a
dvo
cate
the
pro
vincia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
rais
e the s
helter
com
ponent
of
incom
e a
ssis
tance to a
t le
ast re
flect
cost
of
livin
g
incre
ases s
ince 1
991.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
ME
IA
Action
20. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
munic
ipalit
ies, to
str
ong
ly a
dvo
cate
with t
he p
rovi
ncia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
in
cre
ase the m
inim
um
wag
e s
o that people
who a
re
em
plo
yed c
an a
fford
housin
g in N
ew
West
min
ster
without
payi
ng
more
than 3
0%
of
their incom
e o
n s
helter
costs
.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
Pro
vince o
f B
C
26
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
21. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
munic
ipalit
ies, to
str
ong
ly a
dvo
cate
with t
he p
rovi
ncia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
elim
inate
the $
6 tra
inin
g w
ag
e r
ate
.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
Pro
vince o
f B
C
22. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
munic
ipalit
ies, to
advo
cate
with t
he p
rovi
ncia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
monito
r th
e
min
imum
wag
e a
nd u
pdate
it periodic
ally
so t
hat it k
eeps
pace w
ith incre
ases in t
he c
ost of
livin
g.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
Pro
vince o
f B
C
23. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
munic
ipalit
ies, to
encoura
ge the p
rovi
ncia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
revi
se e
ligib
ility
crite
ria a
nd the a
pplic
ations p
rocess for
BC
Em
plo
yment
and A
ssis
tance t
o e
nable
easie
r access
for
those
needin
g incom
e a
ssis
tance,
inclu
din
g im
media
te
tem
pora
ry a
ccess
until pro
of
of
elig
ibili
ty c
an b
e
obta
ined.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
ME
IA
27
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
24. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
munic
ipalit
ies, to
encoura
ge the M
inis
try
of
Em
plo
yment
and I
ncom
e
Assis
tance to p
rovi
de a
dditio
nal outr
each a
ssis
tance t
o
adults a
nd y
outh
with m
ultip
le c
halle
ng
es w
ho w
ish t
o
apply
for
benefits
.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
ME
IA
25. T
he C
ity
of
New
West
min
ste
r and the H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
in c
oord
ination w
ith o
ther
munic
ipalit
ies a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions, to
encoura
ge the
pro
vincia
l g
ove
rnm
ent to
rein
sta
te the e
xem
ption o
f a
port
ion o
f earn
ings a
s an incentive
for
Inco
me
Assis
tance r
ecip
ients
to s
eek e
mplo
yment.
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and t
he
Hom
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd
oth
er
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions a
nd
munic
ipalit
ies
Ong
oin
g
ME
IA
Su
pp
ort
s
Action
Addic
tion
Serv
ices
26. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion a
nd the C
ity
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r seek info
rmation fro
m F
raser
Health
reg
ard
ing
pla
nned c
hanges in a
ddic
tion s
erv
ices
capacity
to N
ew
West
min
ste
r re
sid
ents
and s
trong
ly
advo
cate
for
incre
ase
d s
erv
ices s
uch a
s deto
x and o
ther
addic
tion s
erv
ices.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion,
City
of
New
W
est
min
ste
r and F
raser
Health
Septe
mbe
r 2007
Fra
ser
Health
28
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
A
ction
Dro
p-I
n
Serv
ices
27. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o r
evi
ew
exa
mple
s o
f com
pre
hensiv
e m
inim
um
barr
ier
hom
ele
ss d
rop-in
facili
ties s
uch a
s the o
ne u
nder
deve
lopm
ent
in V
icto
ria
to: �
Dete
rmin
e t
he a
ppro
priate
typ
e o
f fa
cili
ty a
nd
wheth
er
it s
hould
be inte
gra
ted w
ith a
housin
g
facili
ty;
�
Dete
rmin
e h
ow
to s
ele
ct a
serv
ice p
rovi
der
to
opera
te f
acili
ty;
�
Dete
rmin
e a
ppro
priate
location;
�
Identif
y fu
ndin
g p
art
ners
; and
�
Support
an a
pplic
ation for
fundin
g b
y th
e s
erv
ice
pro
vider.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
Ma
y 2007
N/A
Action
Outr
each
Serv
ices
28. M
onarc
h T
ransitio
n H
ouse t
o d
eta
il th
e r
eq
uirem
ent fo
r m
ultic
ultura
l serv
ices a
nd inte
gra
tion o
pport
unitie
s f
or
imm
igra
nt
wom
en w
ho h
ave
left
their h
om
es
beca
use o
f abuse a
nd e
nte
r in
to p
roto
col arr
ang
em
ents
with s
erv
ice
pro
viders
to lin
k w
om
en to a
ppro
priate
support
fro
m
oth
er
pro
viders
in the c
om
munity.
Monarc
h
Tra
nsitio
n
House
Marc
h
2007
N/A
29. M
onarc
h T
ransitio
n H
ouse t
o d
eve
lop a
n e
ducational
pro
gra
m that deta
ils the is
sues facin
g w
om
en a
nd t
heir
child
ren f
leein
g a
buse a
nd h
avi
ng
to leave
their h
om
es.
This
pro
gra
m w
ill inclu
de
a s
eries o
f re
com
mended
initia
tive
s t
o h
elp
serv
ice p
rovi
ders
adapt serv
ices to
meet th
e s
pecia
l needs
of
wom
en a
nd c
hild
ren u
sin
g
transitio
n h
ouse s
erv
ices.
Monarc
h
Tra
nsitio
n
House
Marc
h
2007
N/A
29
Ac
tio
ns
Resp
on
sib
ilit
y
Tim
e
Targ
et
P
ote
nti
al
Fu
nd
ing
P
art
ners
30. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o s
trong
ly a
dvo
cate
that
Fra
ser
Health d
ete
rmin
e the b
est
meth
od o
f deliv
ering
prim
ary
care
serv
ices f
or
adults w
ithout a C
are
Card
.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
Octo
ber
2007
Fra
ser
Health
Action
Health
Care
31. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion s
trong
ly a
dvo
cate
that
Fra
ser
Health d
ete
rmin
e the b
est
meth
od o
f pro
vidin
g
denta
l care
to a
dults
who a
re u
nable
to a
fford
a d
entist.
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion
Octo
ber
2007
Fra
ser
Health
Action
Pre
vention
Serv
ices
32. T
he H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion t
o d
ete
rmin
e h
ow
best to
deliv
er
additio
nal pre
ventio
n s
erv
ices f
or
household
s
facin
g e
viction s
uch a
s leg
al serv
ices o
r financia
l assis
tance s
uch a
s a r
ent
bank. (T
hese s
erv
ices m
ay
be
best
deliv
ere
d o
n a
reg
ional basis
.)
New
W
est
min
ste
r H
om
ele
ssness
Coalit
ion in
coord
ination
with o
ther
hom
ele
ssness
coalit
ions
Octo
ber
2007
To b
e
dete
rmin
ed
30
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Month Action
# Action
Jan 07 1 The Homelessness Coalition of New Westminster to formalize its mandate to guide it in implementing the Homelessness Action Strategy. As well, the Coalition to elect a chairperson or co-chairs and appoint working subcommittees to assist with implementing actions.
Feb 07 10 The Homelessness Coalition to determine an appropriate model for
a minimum barrier, harm reduction, supported housing facility for the chronically homeless in the City and to take the lead to advocate with BC Housing and other potential funding partners for such a facility.
Mar 07 4 The Homelessness Coalition to develop a model for a continuum of
housing and shelter needs for New Westminster. 5 The Homelessness Coalition to determine how many minimum
barrier, enhanced, 24-hour emergency shelter beds are required for which populations (e.g. men, women with or without children not fleeing abuse, couples), and take the lead to advocate for new capacity.
6 The Homelessness Coalition to negotiate a protocol with the New Westminster Humane Society to shelter pets while the owner stays in a New Westminster shelter or enters a treatment facility
7 The Homelessness Coalition, in consultation with appropriate seniors services agencies, to assess whether existing shelter capacity accommodates the age-related issues faced by homeless seniors
13 The Homelessness Coalition in consultation with seniors services providers to assess whether the existing transitional and supported house capacity accommodates the age-related issues faced by homeless seniors and those at risk.
28 Monarch Transition House to detail the requirement for multicultural services and integration opportunities for immigrant women who have left their homes because of abuse and enter into protocol arrangements with service providers to link women to appropriate support from other providers in the community.
29 Monarch Transition House to develop an educational program that details the issues facing women and their children fleeing abuse and having to leave their homes. This program will include a series of recommended initiatives to help service providers adapt services to meet the special needs of women and children using transition house services.
Apr.07 11 The Homelessness Coalition to prioritize actions for filling the gap of
additional transitional and permanent supported housing for adults and youth who are homeless and at risk.
May 07 17 The Homelessness Coalition to advocate with the province for a
31
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Month Action
# Action
rental subsidy program for those who are homeless or at risk with challenges in their lives who can live independently but who do not qualify for the recently announced Rental Assistance Program or do not live with a mental illness.
27 The Homelessness Coalition to review examples of comprehensive minimum barrier homeless drop-in facilities such as the one under development in Victoria to:
� Determine the appropriate type of facility and whether it should be integrated with a housing facility;
� Determine how to select a service provider to operate facility;
� Determine appropriate location; � Identify funding partners; and � Support an application for funding by the service
provider.
Jun 07 2 The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New Westminster to work in cooperation with neighbouring municipalities, such as Burnaby and the Tri Cities, and appropriate agencies such as Fraser Health, to coordinate services for the homeless and those at risk
3 The City of New Westminster to work in cooperation with neighbouring municipalities, and organizations such as BC Housing, Fraser Health and other appropriate federal or provincial agencies, to establish a mechanism for coordinating services for the homeless and those at risk.
Sept. 07 26 The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New Westminster seek
information from Fraser Health regarding planned changes in addiction services capacity to New Westminster residents and strongly advocate for increased services such as detox and other addiction services.
Oct. 07 30 The Homelessness Coalition to strongly advocate that Fraser Health
determine the best method of delivering primary care services for adults without a Care Card.
31 The Homelessness Coalition strongly advocate that Fraser Health determine the best method of providing dental care to adults who are unable to afford a dentist.
32 The Homelessness Coalition to determine how best to deliver additional prevention services for households facing eviction such as legal services or financial assistance such as a rent bank. (These services may be best delivered on a regional basis.)
Ongoing 8 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition to
coordinate a Housing Outreach Strategy. 9 The City of New Westminster to coordinate outreach to people who
are street homeless to assist eligible people to access BC
32
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Month Action
# Action
Employment and Assistance benefits and other sources of income and help connect people who are street homeless to a Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance
12 The Homelessness Coalition to support New Westminster housing providers in their applications for transitional and supported housing developments and assist with appropriate strategies to ensure that applications for rezoning are approved. If required, the Coalition may decide to prioritize proposals and make recommendations.
14 The Homelessness Coalition and the City of New Westminster to strongly advocate with the provincial government to restore its social housing supply program and the federal government to expand funding for social housing.
15 The City of New Westminster to take leadership to assist with meeting affordable housing needs through various means such as fast tracking of development applications where there are benefits to the City, density bonuses, secondary suite policies, relief of development costs charges and taxes, and other appropriate means.
16 The Homelessness Coalition to support service providers such as CMHA and Fraserside in their efforts to increase the number of ”scattered addresses” market housing rental subsidies available to mental health clients living in New Westminster.
18 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other homelessness coalitions and municipalities, to strongly advocate with the provincial government to increase support benefits available through the BC Employment and Assistance program to at least reflect cost of living increases since 1991.
19 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other homelessness coalitions and municipalities, to strongly advocate the provincial government to raise the shelter component of income assistance to at least reflect cost of living increases since 1991.
20 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to strongly advocate with the provincial government to increase the minimum wage so that people who are employed can afford housing in New Westminster without paying more than 30% of their income in shelter costs.
21 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to strongly advocate with the provincial government to eliminate the $6 training wage rate.
22 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to advocate with the provincial government to monitor the minimum wage and update it periodically so that it keeps pace with increases in the cost of living.
33
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Month Action
# Action
23 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to encourage the provincial government to revise eligibility criteria and the applications process for BC Employment and Assistance to enable easier access for those needing income assistance, including immediate temporary access until proof of eligibility can be obtained.
24 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities, to encourage the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance to provide additional outreach assistance to adults and youth with multiple challenges who wish to apply for benefits.
25 The City of New Westminster and the Homelessness Coalition, in coordination with other municipalities and other homelessness coalitions, to encourage the provincial government to reinstate the exemption of a portion of earnings as an incentive for Income Assistance recipients to seek employment.
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