City seeks funding for multi-year investigation into homelessness

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The city is amping up its investigations into homelessness in the community by applying for funding for three years of research.  

During the March 10th regular council meeting, the City of Fort St. John council approved an application request from staff to the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) for up to $300,000 to explore homelessness in the community.

Funds from NDIT would come from the Northern Healthy Communities Fund Capacity Building Program, which provides funding of up to $300,000 for building projects intended to assist in community adjustments due to economic growth and large economic development projects. 

If granted, the funds would cover three years of studies, research and solution assessments to understand homelessness in the community of Fort St. John.

“Funding for this project will allow staff to expand on current data, develop solutions and implement a ‘housing first’ model in our community through exploration of current supports and expansion of our understanding of housing insecurity as a whole,” Erin Ferris, the director of public safety, said in a report to council. 

The ‘housing first’ model being employed during the research is intended to improve access to housing for the “most vulnerable members of society.”

Staff confirmed to council the grant did not require matching funds from the city, and the only financial implication would be staff directing paid time towards the project. 

With the application approved by city council, staff will finalize the application and submit it, with the intention of splitting the research into three years of $100,000 funding each year.

This comes after Fort St. John Council’s Response Committee on Housing and Emergency Shelter presented its six-month investigation report.