New housing options for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness will soon be available as the province partners with seven additional communities through B.C.’s encampment response initiatives.

“Communities are stronger and safer for everyone when we bring people indoors to safe housing, so they have better opportunities to connect to the supports and services they need to bring stability to their lives,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “The Province is encouraged by the increasing number of local governments that are stepping up to collaborate to support vulnerable residents in their communities and end homelessness. The only path forward is to work together and I applaud these community leaders for acting on their vision.”

The Province, through BC Housing, is working with local governments and community partners through homeless and encampment response teams (HEART) helping people sheltering outdoors to move indoors. HEART works to quickly assess the needs of people in encampments and to provide rapid access to the support services they need to exit homelessness. In addition, the homeless and encampment response temporary housing solutions (HEARTH) program provides emergency housing and sheltering options and immediate co-ordinated supports.