Based on the latest data available from Statistics Canada (2016), British Columbia has the second-worst rate of poverty in Canada with 557,000 people, or 12% of the population, living in poverty.

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.

Filing taxes will be easier for hundreds more people receiving provincial disability benefits with the expansion of Disability Alliance BC's Tax AID program.

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.

The Province and the City of Kelowna are working together to provide individuals experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness with access to more supportive housing and shelter spaces.

Vulnerable people experiencing homelessness will now have access to additional safe shelter spaces during the cold winter months and times of extreme weather in communities around British Columbia.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson have issued the following joint statement in recognition of Homelessness Action Week, Oct. 8-14: