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The B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus comprises 13 mayors from large B.C. cities, including Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. It came together in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to act as a unified voice on issues facing B.C. communities.
Photo courtesy City of Richmond
B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus seeks supportive housing
Published 3:18 PST, Fri January 29, 2021
Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021
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The B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus wants to see the province develop a five-site pilot project for complex care housing sites, which would meet the needs of vulnerable people requiring mental health and substance use supports as well as other services.
Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps are co-chairs of the B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus. Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie is also a part of the group.
This week, the mayors met with B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing David Eby and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson to discuss strengthening mental health and substance use supports in the face of the ongoing homelessness and opioid crises.
While applauding the province for its historic investments in affordable housing, the mayors noted the need to further support people with complex needs. They want to develop a five-site pilot project for 40- to 50-unit complex care housing sites within a year: one on the Island, one in Northern B.C., one in the Interior and two in the Lower Mainland.
“This five-site pilot project is the necessary first step in filling a gap in the continuum of housing and health care to meet the needs of vulnerable people who require mental health and substance use supports and services unique to their needs,” said Basran and Helps in a joint statement.
“The challenges we are seeing in our communities are expanding faster than the solutions. Our vulnerable residents are at risk without proper health supports to meet their complex needs. Our residents and business owners are frustrated. And economic recovery from the pandemic will be compromised without action now. It’s time to try new approaches."
The B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus is seeking provincial funding in the 2021 budget to make this pilot program happen.
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