Investing in a Better Future

Housing Against Homelessness

  • Provincial Housing in the DTES - Stable, affordable housing supports revitalization on the Downtown Eastside. The provincial government is implementing a comprehensive strategy to make significant investments in housing for British Columbians in need.
  • Woodward’s - Giving new life to the historic Woodward’s building symbolizes renewal in the Downtown Eastside. A revitalized Woodward’s serves as a catalyst for positive change.
  • Single Room Occupancy Hotels - Single room occupancy (SRO) hotels represent an important source of affordable housing stock in Vancouver, including the Downtown Eastside – and other urban centres in British Columbia. To help ensure that this supply of housing is not lost through urban re-development, the B.C. provincial government purchased 26 SRO hotels, located in Vancouver, New Westminster and Victoria.
  • Homeless Intervention Project - The Homeless Intervention Project (HIP) helps British Columbians break the cycle of homelessness. Since the project began in March, 2009, over 2,000 homeless persons in British Columbia have been housed.
  • Homeless Outreach - Isolation and sense of being excluded from the mainstream community are realities of homelessness. The Province of British Columbia created the Homeless Outreach Program to help connect homeless persons with the support services they need in their local communities.

Real Solutions for Real People

  • Support for Low-income British Columbians - The B.C. provincial government offers comprehensive support for low-income persons and families in communities across the province. Programs include employment and rental assistance, a child care subsidy, assistance with medical insurance, dental and optical benefits for children.
  • Insite - Vancouver is home to North America’s first supervised injection site. Supervised injection sites improve the health and social well-being of participants, while reducing drug overdose deaths.
  • Covenant House - Covenant House helps homeless persons and at-risk youth. A warm bed, hot food, clothing and support services are there for people in need. The Province of British Columbia is a funding partner.
  • Transition Houses - Transition houses in British Columbia offer refuge to women and children experiencing abuse in their homes. Transition houses represent an invaluable, timely resource for women and their children who need a place to go to avoid domestic violence.
  • Emergency Shelter Services - Situations arise that can compel people to seek emergency shelter. As a part of an overall housing strategy, the Province of British Columbia provides resources to help people cope with emergency situations through the Emergency Shelter Program (ESP).
  • Community Court - Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court brings together justice, health and social service agencies to help change criminal behaviour among offenders and improve public safety in Vancouver’s downtown core. Since embarking on the new problem-solving approach in September 2008, the Province and judiciary have gained valuable insights into dealing with offenders.

Opportunities for Youth

  • BladeRunners - A made-in-B.C. program for at-risk and street-involved youth is creating employment opportunities and reducing homelessness. British Columbia’s award-winning BladeRunners program began in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and over the past 15 years has helped over 3,000 youth find and keep jobs, continue educations and reconnect with family and community.
  • Supporting Vulnerable Students - The Province of British Columbia offers programs to enhance education in the Downtown Eastside. For example, StrongStart BC centres offer preschool-aged children quality early learning experiences.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

  • Olympic Housing Initiatives - The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games created opportunities for British Columbians across the province to realize tangible benefits through investments in communities and infrastructure. Permanent, affordable housing for people in need across B.C., including Vancouver’s inner-city neighbourhoods, represents a major 2010 benefit.
  • Olympic Security - The Province of British Columbia is committed to ensuring a safe and secure Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, while upholding and respecting the Charter rights of all Canadians, including the right to peacefully express opinions. The Province is working with the Government of Canada to ensure that appropriate policing levels will be in effect during the Games.
  • 2010 Inner-City Inclusivity - Vancouver is hosting the first Olympic Games to make commitments to inner-city social sustainability and inclusion. In 2002, the Province, the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), the City of Vancouver and the Government of Canada pledged to help make the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games benefit Vancouver’s inner city.