The United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island and the Nanaimo Homeless Coalition are directing $775,000 in federal Reaching Home funding to combat homelessness. (News Bulletin file photo)

Federal government directs $775,000 to address homelessness in Nanaimo

United Way and Nanaimo Homeless Coalition administer Reaching Home funding

  • May. 25, 2021 12:00 a.m.

United Way and the Nanaimo Homeless Coalition are able to direct more than $775,000 in federal funding to programs and services that combat homelessness.

The United Way, in press release Tuesday, May 25, announced this year’s allocation from Canada’s Reaching Home homelessness strategy.

The money will go to organizations supporting people experiencing homelessness while working to reduce homelessness. The funding will go to supportive housing, tenancy support services, community outreach and more, the release noted.

About $218,000 of the money is earmarked for organizations offering supports to meet the needs of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, including programs for young Indigenous mothers.

Part of the money will also support Nanaimo’s co-ordinated access system, which is intended to create efficiencies in directing people to social services.

Signy Madden, executive director of the United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island, said the money is “urgently needed” as the number of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness is increasing in Nanaimo.

“Programs and services that are funded through Reaching Home support those most vulnerable in our community and give hope to our neighbours who need it most,” Madden said.

For more information, visit http://nanaimohomelesscoalition.ca/reaching-home.

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