“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.
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.
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
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.
Outreach services are available to you if:
You may qualify for the Homeless Prevention Program, which assists with access to housing and community-based services.
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:
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:
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:
You cannot use the rent supplement for:
To be eligible, you (or someone you know) are at immediate risk of homelessness. This includes:
Please contact an outreach worker for full details. An outreach worker will be able to determine what you are eligible for.
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.