New Westminster approves plan to support city’s most vulnerable

New Westminster city council approved a roadmap this week that looks to support and advocate for the city’s most vulnerable people.

As part of the Royal City’s Crises Response Pilot Project (CRPP), the roadmap includes eight recommendations that look to advocate to higher levels of government for funding and resources.

“New Westminster city council has heard the request from the community that local and senior levels of government must work together and do more to help our most vulnerable residents and provide solutions to address the impacts felt by residents and businesses,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone in a statement.

“The Crises Response Roadmap demonstrates the City’s commitment to urgently addressing the three crises of homelessness, mental health, and substance use that have touched so many in the community,” he added.

For the medium term, the priorities within the city’s five-year prevention, support, and transition services plan includes: advocating to BC Housing for more temporary shelters; partnering with more organizations to address need gaps; advocating for funding of a Health Connect and Resource Centre; and urging the province and Fraser Health Authority to add an indoor inhalation site at the existing overdose prevention site.

In the long-term, the city also wants to expedite the construction of 52 supportive housing units; urging BC Housing to prioritize funding for trauma-informed and culturally safe Indigenous housing; advocating for a permanent 24/7 shelter; and 20 complex care units to be built in the city. These four priorities are part of the city’s 1- year supportive housing and wrap-around service plan.

“All municipalities are facing the increasing challenges of homelessness, mental health and substance use, and New Westminster is no exception,” said Lisa Spitale, chief administrative officer.

“The 2025 Crises Response Roadmap will align City department workplans demonstrating our commitment to expediting processes to address these crises. We look forward to keeping residents, businesses and community groups informed and updated on our progress,” she added.

According to the city, the roadmaps build on already underway initiatives within the Homelessness Action Strategy and the Downtown Liveability Strategy.