By CKPG Today

Housing

New supports coming for people experiencing homelessness in Prince George

Jun 16, 2023 | 1:32 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — New supports are coming to Prince George for people experiencing homelessness. Premier David Eby made the announcement in Prince George this afternoon.

Eby said the City and Victoria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that formalizes their commitment.

The MOU clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Province and City to prioritize the health and safety of people sheltering outdoors and to bring them inside.

This includes the Province partnering with Prince George to implement the new Homeless Encampment Action Response Teams (HEART) and Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) programs.

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Implementation of HEART is planned to begin in fall 2023, while HEARTH will begin operating in spring 2024.

The MOU also outlines provincial and municipal commitments to help prevent and respond to future encampments in Prince George. This includes:

* a cross-ministry and co-ordinated response to homeless encampments on crown and other lands through the rapid provision of outreach and increased access to supports;

* exploration of the potential use of municipal levers, such as tax exemptions, zoning and bylaws, to expedite social housing units and affordable housing in alignment with BC Housing’s funding programs and the community’s housing needs; and

* engagement with First Nations and Indigenous organizations to develop and facilitate access to culturally safe and supportive practices for Indigenous people sheltering in encampments.

Both the HEART and HEARTH programs are part of Belonging in BC, the Province’s plan to prevent and reduce homelessness. The plan will also add 3,900 new supportive housing units and 240 complex-care spaces provincewide.