The City of Nanaimo was granted $2.5 million by the province to tackle the ever growing issue of homelessness. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

big money

Nanaimo granted $2.5M from province to tackle homelessness

Aug 13, 2021 | 5:35 AM

NANAIMO — It’s hoped a substantial influx of cash will help the City of Nanaimo provide solutions to the ever-expanding homelessness crisis.

The province announced $2.5 million for the City’s Homelessness Community Response Initiative on Thursday, Aug. 12.

The City was one of 48 municipalities which received over $76 million in funding to “combat the impacts of homelessness and keep their communities safe and healthy as they recover from the pandemic.”

The money provided is a mix of provincial and federal funding from the Strengthening Communities’ Services Program.

Further details about what the money will be spent on are expected on Friday.

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The number of people living rough on Nanaimo’s streets has grown substantially in recent years, despite two large temporary housing projects and many smaller projects.

The most recent point-in-time homelessness count from 2020 estimated upwards of 600 people were experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo. This was nearly double from two years before.

Another count is expected in spring 2022 with the numbers expected to roughly double once more.

The City and BC Housing are in the province of building a sweeping amount of supportive housing at multiple sites throughout central and south Nanaimo. The first, at 702 Nicol St., is expected to open in the fall.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt