The City of Nanaimo will made an application valued at $625,000 to support four initiatives primarily geared toward assisting the homeless. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

social services

City of Nanaimo after second round of funding to support local homeless projects

Apr 6, 2022 | 2:28 PM

NANAIMO — For a second consecutive year the City of Nanaimo hopes to land senior government funding to assist the homeless and improve public safety.

This week city councillors supported a staff recommendation to submit and application backing four programs, including an extreme weather shelter and sitdown breakfast program.

A joint provincial/federal funding program dubbed the Strengthening Communities Services Program (SCSP) allows Nanaimo to apply for a maximum of $625,000, involving temporary programs to be funded between August 2022 and July 2023.

The City was awarded $2.5 million from the same program last year and will submit an application to obtain the maximum amount allotted this time around.

A City staff report noted nearly half of the desired SCSP funds would go toward an extreme weather shelter and support programs, while a sitdown breakfast program would be established since the 7-10 Club Society remains without a permanent home base.

rare sight

Clear Nanaimo skies offering prime 'planetary parade' viewing

8h ago

expanded space

Modular classrooms coming for space-strapped Nanaimo schools, timelines clarified

21h ago

cell tower

Rogers pushes for improved Nanoose Bay cell service

23h ago

Funding to lease a vehicle will be sought to transport homeless Snuneymxuw First Nation members to services they require.

Another vehicle lease is proposed for the Nanaimo RCMP’s Community Policing Volunteer Program.

The volunteer driven community policing initiative involves patrols to report suspicious activity and provide various supports to unsheltered people, including supplies during extreme weather.

The SCSP, administered by the Union of BC Municipalities, was launched last year to support homeless populations and address related community impacts.

Last year the City’s share of the SCSP fund included paying for security and street-level outreach services, four temporary housing units, and portable toilets among 13 programs and services.

Applications for this year’s SCSP must be submitted by April 22 with funds announced in late July.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW