Project Purpose and Objectives

Project Purpose
To develop, under the guidance of an appointed task force, a comprehensive Homelessness Action Plan with clear goals, effective strategies, measurable objectives and specific actions to end homelessness in Chilliwack, clearly articulating the role of the City and others.

Project Objectives
To clearly communicate to the community the root causes of homelessness, the challenges and effective strategies for addressing the root causes, and to clarify the roles of all stakeholders;

To formalize the City’s commitment in working with others including non-profit organizations and other levels of government to end homelessness;

To build on past and current initiatives associated with the City’s 2008 Housing and Homelessness Strategy and the Chilliwack Healthier Community Strategic Plan; and

To ensure an inclusive process – to engage with stakeholders, including Chilliwack Healthier Community, individual service providers, the Housing First Task team, and the community to ensure all voices are heard and that the plan provides support for wide spectrum of affordable housing, based on client needs

Homelessness Action Plan

The Chilliwack Homelessness Action Plan, developed in 2016, is a community-based strategy aimed at reducing homelessness in the city. It focuses on collaboration between local government, non-profit organizations, and community stakeholders to provide both immediate support and long-term solutions.

Key components include:

·         Affordable Housing: Increasing the availability of affordable and supportive housing to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness have access to stable accommodations.

·         Service Coordination: Enhancing cooperation among service providers to deliver mental health, addiction support, and other essential services for people facing homelessness.

·         Prevention Programs: Implementing programs to prevent homelessness by addressing factors such as poverty, unemployment, and the lack of affordable housing options.

·         Outreach and Advocacy: Expanding outreach efforts to connect people in need with services, and advocating for additional funding and resources from provincial and federal governments.

·         Community Engagement: Encouraging community participation in homelessness reduction efforts and fostering partnerships to address the root causes of homelessness.

Overall, the plan emphasizes a multi-faceted, collaborative approach to reducing homelessness by addressing both immediate needs and the underlying issues contributing to homelessness in Chilliwack.

To date, there have been many successes from this plan, including:

·         Federal funding to support outreach and homelessness prevention initiatives.

·         The establishment of an Intensive Case Management Team (ICM).

·         The development of 200+ units of supportive and affordable rental housing.

·         Improved agency collaboration to assist individuals experiencing homelessness.

·         Increased shelter spaces while additional housing is being built.

We continue to work closely with BC Housing, Fraser Health, and local service providers to increase a range of services and supports.