Supporting those struggling with mental health, homelessness, and addictions

BCNPHA saw a steep increase in homelessness across Metro Vancouver with 828 more people identified as homeless in 2017 compared to 2014, representing a 30% increase in homelessness and the highest number to date.

Every story is unique, but we also find common patterns including addiction, mental illness, limited income, and inability to find affordable housing. Welfare payments and other government income assistance do help, but the maximum housing allowance available to a single person on welfare is $375 per month. Without housing, it is extremely difficult for these individuals to stabilize and improve their quality of life.

Reduce the Stigma, Reduce the Difficulty

There is another huge barrier to getting people housed. There is a lot of social stigma around those who face homelessness. It is often unknown that homelessness can result from many factors currently outside of someone’s control. Some of these include the threat of harm, untreated mental illness, drug or alcohol addictions, and loss of family, friends, employment, relationships, or housing.

We are making a difference. By supplying outreach services, referrals, practical assistance, advocacy, and life-skills coaching, we are helping to alleviate homelessness one person at a time.

Progressive Housing Society outreach van and worker

Connect with Our Outreach

With the growing demands to see our outreach workers, these places have become an essential part of the community where our clients can come and congregate in a low-barrier environment. Those who are facing homelessness come to these places to find resources, food, clothing, and support.

You can also connect with members of our Outreach Team

Homeless Outreach Program (HOP)

The Homeless Outreach Program (HOP) program includes services and referrals to other community agencies such as shelters and housing, providing those that are experiencing homelessness practical assistance and navigation to life on the street with access to food and clothing, advocacy, and life-skills coaching.  Staff support clients in securing ID, disability, ministry and housing applications.  HOP aims to maintain a confidential, low barrier, multi-faceted program that assists anyone in need of help.

Am I Eligible?

Outreach services are available to you if:

  • You are an individual or family that does not have a fixed address.
  • You are living and sleeping in public spaces, including on the street.
  • You need a place to stay in extremely wet or cold winter weather.
  • You haven’t found a place to stay since you left a hospital, rehabilitation centre, treatment centre, or correctional facility.
  • You need a place to stay so you can leave a situation where you are financially, sexually, physically, or emotionally vulnerable
  • You are living in a temporary situation where you don’t know how long you can stay, for example, sleeping on a couch at a friend’s house, or in a place without a rental agreement.
  • You have found temporary housing, but need to find something more long-term
  • Your landlord gave you notice to move out and you need assistance to find a new place to stay.

You may qualify for the Homeless Prevention Program, which assists with access to housing and community-based services.

Services available for Homeless Outreach Program participants

In both urban and rural regions of British Columbia, outreach workers can meet with you to determine your housing needs, connect or introduce you to required services, and try to connect you with housing that’s appropriate and available.

Outreach workers can offer:

  • Immediate outreach assistance to meet you where you are at. This may include a referral to an emergency shelter for a place to sleep, wash and eat.
  • Case-planning assistance to help you get identification, apply for income assistance and set housing goals.
  • Assistance to find housing options and provide support with the application and move-in process. Rent supplements may be available to support this process. Outreach workers can accompany you to appointments and/or housing viewings.
  • To refer you to support services such as health care, counselling and addiction recovery.
  • To help you with more permanent housing options including supportive housing and subsidized housing.
  • To be a resource for housing providers/landlords and answer their questions and concerns.
  • Ongoing support as required.

Homeless Prevention Program (HPP)

The Homeless Prevention Program is an initiative aimed at providing individuals in identified at-risk groups facing homelessness with portable rent supplements and support services to help them access rental housing in the private (non-subsidized) housing market.

The rent supplements and support services help recipients access rental housing in the private (non-subsidized) housing market and community-based services.

We work with:

  • Families
  • Women leaving Violence
  • Youth at Risk
  • Individuals leaving Correctional Systems
  • Individuals leaving Health Care Systems
  • Aboriginal descent

Much like the Homeless Outreach Program (HOP), this program also works with clients at risk of homelessness in order to stabilize their housing status and connect them to appropriate resources so that they may integrate into independent living.

If you are eligible and approved, the rent supplement can assist with:

  • Your rent
  • Your damage deposit
  • Costs that help you secure housing (for example, getting identification)
  • Transportation to a housing opportunity
  • Storage for your belongings as you wait to move into a new home
  • Ensuring access to utilities (for example, heat and water)
  • Moving expenses
  • Home start-up items

You cannot use the rent supplement for:

  • Rent, if you are already receiving a subsidy
  • Expenses not related to housing or this Program
  • Clinical health and treatment services
  • Medical or clinical staff expenses
  • Daycare expenses

To be eligible, you (or someone you know) are at immediate risk of homelessness. This includes:

  • Youth transitioning out of foster care
  • Women who have experienced violence or are at risk of violence
  • Individuals leaving the correctional or hospital systems
  • Individuals of Aboriginal descent

Please contact an outreach worker for full details. An outreach worker will be able to determine what you are eligible for.

Reaching Home

The federal government provides a subsidy for our clients. Reaching Home, formerly known as HPS (Housing First), is aimed at those who have been chronically homeless and/or are homeless for a certain period of time. This program provides funding to urban, Indigenous, rural and remote communities to help them address their local homelessness needs. It is a tailored-approach that involves intensive case management, navigation, and access to wrap around health and community services.