The City of Nanaimo will apply for a $2.5 million grant to tackle homelessness. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

grant

City of Nanaimo applying for $2.5M grant to tackle homelessness

Mar 30, 2021 | 12:40 PM

NANAIMO — The City of Nanaimo is putting its hat into the ring for a substantial amount of money to tackle an ongoing problem.

City of Nanaimo councillors unanimously approved applying for up to $2.5 million through the Strengthening Communities’ Services program, which is offered by the federal government and administrated by the Union of BC Municipalities.

City staff drafted 11 projects which would equal roughly $2.5 million. It includes two temporary housing structures, an outreach team, additional funding for Nanaimo’s rent bank and further security throughout the downtown and Old City Quarter.

Dale Lindsay, general manager of development services, said the City expects two temporary modular units housing up to 10 people in total would cost $475,000 for the structures and staffing.

The grant request also includes funding for a temporary full-time social planner who would oversee the rollout of grant-funded programs and assist with efforts to implement the City’s health and housing action plan.

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“Right now the intent is for interim, temporary help while we get through this next phase,” Lindsay said. “With or without this being a successful grant opportunity, we’re still going to look to add bench strength and capacity.”

Despite handling one of the most prominent issues in the city, there’s only two social planners working at City Hall.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt