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By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 HOUSING IMPACTS

Housing, poverty ministries outline COVID-19 response for vulnerable populations

Mar 21, 2020 | 11:19 AM

VANCOUVER — The BC Government has unveiled preliminary details around plans to minimize the spread of COVID-19 within vulnerable, or homeless populations.

In a statement today (Mar. 21), Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson, says the provincial government is focusing on delivering support to groups at a higher risk of contracting the virus in B.C. This effort includes outreach to those who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, or those who have disabilities.

Steps that have been taken include:

• a ban on evictions for non-payment of rent in BC Housing-funded buildings
• the development of distinct protocols and identification of sites to support isolation for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness – sheltered or unsheltered – and those in private single room occupancy (SROs) and social housing buildings
• sustaining service providers through continued payments to ensure they can pay their staff and operating costs
• centralized procurement for critical supplies needed by frontline providers, including gloves and cleaning products

Speaking to media this morning, Housing Minister Selina Robinson acknowledges that vulnerable populations living on the streets, or within social assistance housing do have a harder time maintaining social distancing.

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In order to decrease the close quarters some may be living in, she says alternative sites have been identified to have people moved to during the pandemic.

According to Robinson, so far alternative locations have been identified in 16 communities around B.C. A number of hotels, motels, community centres, and temporary modular housing options have been considered, and will be ready to take in people who need to self-isolate.

In regards to rental housing, Minister Robinson says her ministry is aware of how soon the deadline for most rent payments is approaching, and they’re working to ensure people who have been laid off as a result of this pandemic are not evicted.

“We don’t want anyone to lose their homes as a result of this pandemic, and we are taking measures to ensure that that doesn’t happen to people,” she explained when asked about people who have already seen an eviction notice, “We also want to make sure that they have the ability to pay rent, and that is a whole package that will be coming forward in the next number of days, with the work that the Finance Minister (Carole James) is undertaking.”

Later this week, she says more details into the plan to protect renters will become available.

To read the full update, click here to access the BC Government web page.