The City of North Vancouver today announced a one-time grant of up to $360,000 to support residents who remain without housing after two devastating fires in December 2022.
More than half of the 152 City residents who lost their homes have found permanent housing, successfully transitioning off temporary Emergency Support Services funding made possible through the Government of British Columbia. That funding expires on February 15.
For the remaining displaced individuals, the challenge of record-low vacancy rates and an increased cost of living creates an unprecedented need for continued support.
“Access to affordable housing is a right we all share,” said City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan. “For years we have been in an affordability crisis that has left many without the housing options they need. This is particularly true for the more than 150 people that found themselves without a home a week before the holidays. A crisis of this magnitude has not been seen in our community in recent memory. That’s why we are supporting those impacted with this one-time grant. Helping our neighbours transition into housing and rebuild their lives is the right thing to do.”
Hollyburn Community Services Society, a North Shore non-profit organization experienced in supporting individuals and families through various support services, including housing and counselling, will steward the grant using industry standards for eligibility and support.
The program aims to assist eligible displaced residents in securing housing so they can re-establish their lives and routines (attending school, returning to work, and engaging with community support) as quickly as possible. It will also provide the guidance and time they need to recover and adapt independently to current market rental rates.
“This has been a challenging winter for those who lost their homes,” added Mayor Buchanan. “I want to thank the province for their contributions and extending the temporary Emergency Support Services funding to mid-February. However, through this massive relocation effort we have learned there is a clear need to close a jurisdictional gap in provincial support policy. The City and our partner agencies have key learnings that can be used to support others should an event of this magnitude ever occur again and I look forward to liaising with the province on these matters.”
The re-housing grant funding is made possible through the City’s contingency reserve funds designed to support unplanned events. After the program concludes in one year, any unused funds will return to the reserve.