Fort St. John receives funding for homeless assistance project

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John has received funding for a project that aims to assist those experiencing homelessness.

The city announced in an October 23rd press release that it received $294,500 from the Northern Healthy Communities Fund (NHCF) to support the Fort St. John Housing Solutions Initiative. 

The project aims to tackle local housing issues by creating a community-specific Housing First model.  According to the city, this model will support individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

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It prioritizes rapid placement into permanent housing, eliminating preconditions. Once housed, the city said individuals will receive tailored support based on their specific needs.

“This funding helps us take action on a serious issue,” said Mayor Lilia Hansen. “We know that housing is a foundation for health and well-being. This initiative ensures people in Fort St. John have the support they need to stay housed and move forward.”

According to the city, the Fort St. John Housing Solutions Initiative will concentrate on forging partnerships, implementing a small pilot project and developing long-term strategies over the next three years. 

The City also said it is collaborating with community organizations, consultants and other partners to develop and execute this work.

The announcement builds on previous measures from the city to combat homelessness, such as the Committee on Housing and Emergency Shelter (CRCHES).

The NHCF is managed by the Northern Development Initiatives Trust (NDIT), a provincial non-profit that aims to boost economic growth via community projects.

The NDIT recently approved the largest grant in its history, approving $1 million in funding for Peace region agricultural projects pitched by the North Pine Farmers Institute and Optimum Grains in September.