The Municipality of North Cowichan is receiving $2.47 million in joint provincial and federal funding for the “It Takes a Village: Housing the Unsheltered Population of the Cowichan Valley” project.
The project is a partnership between North Cowichan, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, City of Duncan, Town of Ladysmith, and the Town of Lake Cowichan.
The project will expand temporary housing capacity by creating additional units throughout the region and increase outreach services at an existing shelter in Ladysmith.
Peer-based support programs will also be developed and implemented throughout the region.
Doug Routley, the NDP MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, said the funding will assist vulnerable people in the Cowichan region have greater access to local services which will help tackle homelessness as the community recovers from the impacts of the pandemic.
“Local governments play a big role in helping people who are facing homelessness by connecting people with the services they need,” said Routley.
“I am encouraged to see so many municipal governments in the Cowichan Valley work together to provide housing for our most vulnerable and I am confident this grant will go a long way in supporting their efforts.”
MLA Routley said the funding is part of the Strengthening Communities Program which is providing support to 48 communities across B.C. More than $76 million will support local governments to combat the impacts of homelessness and keep their communities safe and healthy as they recover from the pandemic.