Timeline of Nanaimo’s homeless drop-in centre unclear as scope shifts
NANAIMO — City staff are exploring options beyond simply a drop-in centre to give the homeless a place to go during the day.
Social Planner John Horn told NanaimoNewsNOW the City is working toward including a health and wellness component as part of a drop-in centre. He said a theme evolved in recent weeks to provide a service that better meets the needs of the homeless, service providers and the area where the centre would be located.
“The shift in the understanding of what it looks like and why we need to do this is really based on our partners saying ‘Here’s what we as service providers would want to deliver into the community…We want a wellness centre and not just a drop-in centre.’”
City Council approved $100,000 in March to help launch the centre, as part of sweeping measures designed to deal with the City’s homeless and downtown social disorder issues.