Province Expands Homeless Shelters, Housing Supports
On the first anniversary of B.C.'s Housing Matters strategy, Premier Gordon Campbell and Housing Minister Rich Coleman today announced new and expanded measures to help break the cycle of homelessness with an added $41 million in funding.
As part of the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC, and building on the work of the Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions, the four new and expanded measures are:
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Increase funding for emergency shelters so they can be open 24 hours a day/seven days a week to provide better services and assistance for those who are homeless.
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Expanding homeless outreach services to 27 new and existing communities to connect homeless people to housing and support services, including a new Aboriginal component.
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Provide 750 rent supplement units to assist the homeless in the private market.
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The Province will fund pre-development costs to ensure city-owned sites will be ready for the start of construction of new supportive housing within a year. Pre-development costs include costs for third-party work, such as architectural, geotechnical and environmental plans and studies.
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Conversation on Health Ends with Record Participation
The final numbers are in. The Conversation on Health has ended, with over 12,000 submissions and thousands more people taking part in public forums, providing their ideas on the future of the health system. The year-long conversation gathered input from across the province on how the health care system can be strengthened within the framework of the Canada Health Act.
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This was the single largest public discussion on health in B.C. history.
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A total of 78 sessions were held in all regions of the province and included forums, meetings and focus groups with health professionals, patients and members of the public.
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These sessions also included meetings with municipal leaders, Aboriginal groups, academics and children.
A total of 6,600 people registered for the forums.
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ActNow BC Launches Nutrition Campaign
A new campaign encouraging British Columbians to eat
just one more fruit and veggie serving was launched this week at Granville Island Market by Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC.
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The advertising campaign, which includes television, print and transit ads, began on Oct. 8 and will continue for four weeks.
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The campaign will focus on kids aged six to 10 years old, their parents and seniors.
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The program includes the launch of a seniors' nutrition guide, as well as a resource for teachers for implementing healthy eating and physical activity into the curriculum.
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