Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Poverty Reduction, have issued the following statement in recognition of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Oct. 17, 2019:

Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, have issued the following statement in recognition of Homelessness Action Week, Oct. 13 to Oct. 19:

People in need of affordable rental housing in View Royal will have access to more than 150 new housing units following development of a new mixed-income housing project.

Policy changes implemented to help break the cycle of poverty and build a better B.C. for vulnerable citizens will take effect July 1, 2019.

The first-ever provincewide homeless-count report shows that while B.C. has taken important first steps to house British Columbians, more work needs to be done to prevent and address homelessness in B.C. communities.

In October 2017, government launched a comprehensive public engagement process to help inform B.C.’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Two programs that help people with disabilities connect with services and supports in their communities will be expanding through new funding from the Province.

The Province will co-ordinate homeless counts in up to 12 communities during March and April to help inform B.C.’s Homelessness Action Plan, which will focus on permanent housing and services.