New provincial funding is set to help Burnaby's unhoused population, as well as the most vulnerable, have more access to support services throughout the city.
On Tuesday (Aug. 23), MLAs Katrina Chen (Burnaby-Lougheed), Raj Chouhan (Burnaby-Edmonds), Anne Kang (Burnaby-Deer Lake) and Janet Routledge (Burnaby North) announced $873,464 in funding that will be given to the city's project titled Extending Outreach Services to Homeless Individuals in Burnaby.
The project will extend temporary, incremental outreach services to address the needs of unsheltered people in the community.
A news release says the city will work with a non-profit to provide the services.
"It's important that services for unhoused people in our community can meet people where they are at, in an approachable and accessible way," Routledge said in the statement.
"This funding will support outreach so that we can provide needed care and compassion to people while connecting them with other resources that can help them thrive."
Across the province, $15 million in funding is being given to projects in 44 communities as part of the Strengthening Communities' Services Program.
Projects include services like 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.
"Everyone in Burnaby deserves access to care and services to stay healthy, including a safe place to stay," Chen added.
"As we continue working to address homelessness from all angles, this funding will support crucial outreach services for our unhoused neighbours."
