Surrey Councillor Laurie Guerra is president of the Surrey Homeless and Housing Society. (File photo)

$350K doled out for COVID-19 related projects that help Surrey homeless

Since the start of the pandemic, Surrey Homelessness & Housing has approved $600K in grants

  • Nov. 18, 2020 12:00 a.m.

The Surrey Homelessness & Housing Society (SHHS) announced Wednesday it has approved another $350,000 in grants to 11 local projects that aim to help the homeless amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This adds to the $250,000 of COVID-19-related grants doled out by the society in the spring that supported 19 projects within charitable organizations.

“The swift response addresses the emerging needs of people experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness in Surrey related to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” a SHHS release notes.

READ ALSO: Surrey ‘ground zero’ for COVID-19, but has seen less than half of B.C. deaths: Dix

SEE MORE: B.C. records deadliest day of pandemic with 11 deaths, 717 new COVID cases

The funding announced this week will support 11 projects that will implement food programs, purchase safety equipment, create homes and improve housing, the society notes.

“The pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on charitable organizations providing vital services for Surrey’s most vulnerable,” said Councillor Laurie Guerra, President of the SHHS. “This funding will ensure that we can continue to address the growing need for food programs, emergency supplies and strengthen operations both now and into the new year.”

A total of $350,000 in grants were awarded to the following organizations:

  • Afro-Canadian Positive Network Society of BC
  • Atira Women’s Resource Society
  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver
  • Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
  • Fraserside Community Services Society
  • Lookout Housing and Health Society
  • Nightshift Street Ministries
  • Pacific Community Resources Society
  • Phoenix Drug & Alcohol Recovery and Education Society
  • SOS Children’s Village of BC
  • Sources Community Resources Society


amy.reid@surreynowleader.comLike us on Facebook and follow Amy on Twitter

North Delta Reporter