Poverty reduction initiatives touted at UBCM workshop
Credit to Author: Jennifer Saltman| Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2019 00:37:48 +0000
Communities across the province have long had ideas for how to deal with homelessness and poverty, but usually don’t have the money to make them a reality.
Two provincial government initiatives could help, delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in Vancouver heard on Thursday.
Revelstoke Coun. Nicole Cherlet said her city has been implementing its own initiatives to tackle homelessness, and it’s exciting to see some funding that could go toward new projects.
“It’s a drop in the bucket, but at least it’s a drop,” she said. “The problem is so complicated, and it’s so multifaceted.”
On Monday, Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Shane Simpson announced that the province was giving $5 million to the Union of B.C. Municipalities for a program that will provide funding to communities that want to start local initiatives to reduce poverty.
Projects must focus on one or more of the province’s poverty reduction strategy priorities: housing, families, children and youth, education and training, employment, income and social supports.
Communities can apply for up to $25,000 to develop or update poverty reduction assessments or plans, and up to $50,000 for projects.
That money comes three months after the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. (SPARC B.C.) received $6 million for homelessness community action grants of up to $50,000 for local projects aimed at reducing and preventing homelessness.
“Homelessness is a deep issue on the hearts and minds of pretty much every community across the province,” said Lorraine Copas, executive director of SPARC B.C.
She said that some examples of projects that have been submitted for grants include a registry to connect seniors to housing, a youth action plan, and deep woods outreach for those living rough in the bush.
Delegates shared stories of people living in substandard housing and longtime residents who are using food banks.
“I think this important discussion has to continue. I think many of our communities are facing the same challenges,” said Whistler Coun. Jen Ford.