The Town has been granted $189,660 from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to provide support services for Oceanside’s homeless population, helping to alleviate urgent needs during COVID-19.
The program will be managed by the Oceanside Taskforce on Homelessness, in partnership with Forward House, Oceanside Homelessness Ecumenical Advocacy Response Team Society (OHEARTS), Society of Organized Services (SOS), and Island Crisis Care Society. The team will meet regularly and provide coordinated services to homeless individuals, and promote COVID-19 education and safety.
The grant will supply wrap-around services and project oversight, in particular:
- One full-time outreach worker from Island Crisis Care Society to connect homeless individuals with resources, care packages, personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID safety education.
- One full-time outreach nurse from OHEARTS to assist individuals with wound care, nutritional advice, referrals to services, etc.
- One casual outreach worker from Forward House for a Saturday morning program that provides lunches and supplies to homeless individuals.
- One peer support worker from Forward House who accompanies the outreach worker, and provides personal and relatable support to the homeless individual.
- One part-time outreach worker/nurse from Forward House, to support in busy times.
- A Saturday morning outreach program to provide lunch, supplies, and support to the homeless.
- Project management staffing to provide coordination of the project.
- Coordinator staffing to provide community education, raising awareness regarding homelessness, liaising with clients, and finding support for housing initiatives.
The funding will allow services to be provided from September 2021 to June 2022.
“We are honoured to be partnering with the Town of Qualicum Beach, City of Parksville, and Regional District of Nanaimo on this important community initiative” - Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness.
“The Town continues to look for ways to support the combined health of our community, and this includes those experiencing homelessness. We are pleased to be part of this program, providing outreach support urgently needed in our community, especially as a result of COVID-19” – Mayor Brian Wiese.
The Town gratefully acknowledges the funding provided by the Province of BC, administered by the UBCM, under their Strengthening Communities program.
Contact
Luke Sales
Director of Planning
Town of Qualicum Beach
250 752 6921
