WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Union of BC Municipalities recognize that homelessness and the lack of affordable housing are a national concern requiring long term solutions; AND WHEREAS the National Homelessness Initiative and the Province of British Columbias Housing Strategy are ad hoc programs which are not long-term sustained programs: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the Province of British Columbia to initiate with the federal government a non-partisan, inter-governmental, cooperative approach to a national homelessness and affordable housing strategy.
MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND RANGE AND MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HOUSING Our government is committed to building the best system of support for vulnerable British Columbians and those most in need. The budget for affordable housing and shelters is now 328 million triple what it was in 2001. In October 2006, we launched Housing Matters B.C., a comprehensive, long-term strategy to ensure every British Columbian has access to affordable and appropriate housing. The Province alone cannot solve homelessness. That is why we are working closely with local governments, the federal government, non-profit organizations and the private sector on a number of significant initiatives. The Premiers Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions is an example of these successful partnerships. Since December 2004, the task force has announced 2,287 housing units and shelter beds. These include appropriate social and medical supports to help people break the cycle of homelessness.