Homeless people or those at risk of homelessness are benefiting from a new office in the City Centre Mall.
The Tamitik Status of Women Food Share program and the Kitimat Child Development Centre Housing Resource Project have moved into the same office space downstairs in the mall.
KCDC executive director Marianne Hemmy said the shared location has created a hub in the community for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to access basic necessities such as food, soap and feminine hygiene products, as well as services that can reduce the risk of homelessness or work towards housing.
“Co-location allows KCDC and TSW to share services between organizations, increasing our ability to serve our clients more efficiently while reducing overhead costs,” said Hemmy.
“It creates overlapping service teams where expertise between organizations is shared.”
The two organizations share the rent for the office, which will also be used by TSW for their Anti-Poverty program, their Homeless Prevention Program, and in partnership with Northern Health, harm reduction and monthly immunization clinics.
She said the office was chosen specifically because of its location in downtown Kitimat, close to other services like hospital, doctors, grocery stores, bus terminals, government services like the Ministry of Social Development and the District of Kitimat, and recreation facilities.
KCDC was forced to move its housing section out of its previous location in the Northwest Community College building so that the Haisla Nation Council (HNC) could expand their operations.
The HNC now occupies the entire NWCC building, save for the large meeting room in which the District of Kitimat holds council meetings.
The Kitimat Housing Resource Office is open Monday to Thursday from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday from 8.30 a.m. to noon.
The Food Share is open from 10 a.m. to noon, Mondays to Fridays, excluding statutory holidays.
TSW’s Anti-Poverty program is open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.
The Homeless Prevention Program is open Monday to Thursday, with flexible hours, depending on clients.
