Nearly all of $2.5 million grant spent to deal with Nanaimo’s ‘incredible challenges’

A number of temporary housing projects took up the lion’s share of the cash, accounting for just over $1.64 million.

Krog said the City purchased three, four-plex trailers, as well as committed to renting six units across Nanaimo.

Also included in the housing costs are some services including meals and outreach, all of which are currently set to expire next June.

Security services was the next highest line item, totalling $352,753 with the City’s shower and urban clean up programs funded to the end of 2022, at a cost of roughly $104,000 each.

By November 2021, the City had already spent around $800,000 of the money, recouping costs already bourne by the City including security and clean up programs.

Krog said the money was helpful, but was a bandaid on a situation which affects every community in the country.

“I have said repeatedly and over and over again to the point where I’m tired of saying it, there is a portion of our population that needs to be in secure and involuntary care for obvious reasons. Citizens get it, the front line workers get it and what we are doing right now is trying to heal over a problem, a wound in our society that really requires something much more intense and consistent.”

Originally given a June 30, 2022 deadline to spend the $2.5 million, the province issued a 12 month extension for the grant.

Afterwards, it will be up to the City to decide what stays funded by local taxpayer dollars and what is either dropped or sourced elsewhere.

Staff indicated to NanaimoNewsNOW the 2023-2027 draft financial plan will include a request for the City to continue funding some of these programs, something which a newly-elected Council must ultimately decide.

One key avenue for the continuation of some supports will be the Downtown Nanaimo Safety Action Plan, a $2.5 million annual program to tackle growing issues in the downtown.

Krog wasn’t able to say which programs will be folded into the action plan, but mentioned both the clean up teams and community safety officers will be included, labelling them “necessary”.

The assuming of some programs under the City umbrella in the future was a concern for Krog, potentially setting precedent for cities to have to cover these costs.

“We have to recognize the mental health, addictions, trauma, brain injury crisis is a national crisis and requires a national response. These are not our programs or legal responsibilities but we are doing our best to manage within the resources we have.”

He added while problems were “most obvious” in the downtown, encampments were becoming more common in all areas of the city and said the challenges Nanaimo face are city-wide.

A total of $35,869 of City money was spent or committed in the last 12 months for programs related to the provincial grant, with roughly $20,000 stemming from the City housing legacy reserve, and around $15,000 coming from general revenue.

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by Alex Rawnsley

Nearly all of $2.5 million grant spent to deal with Nanaimo’s ‘incredible challenges’

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