B.C. NDP government to fund daytime wellness shelter in Chilliwack for homeless people; MLA Coulter faults B.C. Liberals for prior cuts for homeless

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Jamie Leggatt, director of communications for the City of Chilliwack, confirmed that this provincial funding for a daytime wellness centre is the same one that’s being advertised in the bids and tenders section of the City of Chilliwack website.

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A request for proposals (RFP) was issued on August 19 inviting qualified proponents to submit documents to successfully operate a wellness shelter for a term commencing October 1 and ending March 1, 2023. The NDP press release utilizes the term “centre” while the City of Chilliwack references a wellness “shelter” on its website under bids and tenders.

Of the funding allocation announced by the B.C. NDP government, $200,000 is going to an Indigenous youth outreach project, which is separate from the day shelter.

The proposed location for this daytime wellness shelter is not known at this time, Leggatt indicated.

“Our government knows that outreach services can be life-saving for unhoused community members,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent, in a statement. “Creating more shelter space, increasing training, and adding supports so people don’t have to move around so much will help people experiencing homelessness to stay safer and healthier.”

Image: Supplied by MLA Kelli Paddon / MLA Kelli Paddon and fellow NDP MLA Dan Coulter are pleased to report on a provincial funding allocation for a daytime wellness centre, as well as funding for Indigenous youth outreach.

The B.C. NDP government is investing more than $15 million into projects in 44 communities as part of the Strengthening Communities’ Services Program. This funding stream supports local governments and modern Treaty Nations in building additional capacity to address the needs of unsheltered people in their communities, while also keeping people safe and healthy.

The projects will include services such as outreach and mental health supports, creating new temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness, and expanding shelter availability during potential extreme weather events through the program’s second intake. This investment is in addition to the $76 million provided to local governments and modern Treaty Nations through this program in 2021.

The Strengthening Communities Services Program is open to all municipalities, regional districts, Islands Trust and modern Treaty Nations in B.C. It is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.