WHEREAS mental illness and addiction are health conditions which can affect people of all socio-economic backgrounds in all communities and neighbourhoods; AND WHEREAS supportive housing is affordable housing that helps people stabilize their lives and re-establish connections with the community: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the Province to increase funding to develop more supportive housing across the province, to provide funding for the related supportive services and to ensure related community health services are available.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH The Ministry of Health believes that our partners in local government are critical to ensuring people with mental health and addiction challenges receive the best supports possible. Supportive housing helps people break the cycle of homelessness and makes our communities stronger by providing people the tools they need to regain their independence. In April 2007, the Province invested 80 million to fund 996 more units of supportive housing to reduce homelessness in Vancouver, Victoria and Burnaby. The purchases include 10 single room occupancy hotels in Vancouver, primarily in and around Vancouvers Downtown Eastside, and one single room occupancy hotel in Victoria. Ministry of Forests Range and Minister Responsible for Housing. Since 2004, government has funded 2,287 housing units across British Columbia under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, arising from the work of the Premiers Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions. Ministry of Forests Range and Minister Responsible for Housing. This year alone, government will invest 328 million to social housing nearly triple the 2001 spending. Ministry of Forests Range and Minister Responsible for Housing. Government continues to invest in mental health and addictions services and supports; expenditures in 200607 were more than 1.1 billion, a 30 increase since 2001.