The Strathcona Regional District will be moving forward with a regional poverty reduction plan, thanks to funding from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ Poverty Reduction Planning and Action program.
The $147,700 in funding will help the regional district in its goal of reducing poverty at the local level. It also helps support the provincial poverty reduction strategy.
The SRD will be working with the City of Campbell River and the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness, as well as other member First Nations, municipalities, community organizations, service providers and people with lived or living experience to gather more information and plan to break the cycle of poverty.
“The SRD is appreciative to have received funding to assist with the creation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy for the region,” said Aniko Nelson, SRD Senior Manager, Community Services. “In the wake of overlapping economic crises, it is more important now than ever to assess and be proactive to the needs of our communities. “
The Plan will blend the unique needs of the rural and remote communities throughout the region with the urban-centric needs of Campbell River, with a focus on eight priority action areas: Housing; Families, children, and youth; Education and training; Employment; Income support; Social support; Discrimination and stigma; and Safe, affordable, transportation.
Increased access to affordable housing will be a significant focus of the plan due to the rising cost of renting or buying a home in our region. The plan will produce a set of recommendations for local governments within our region to improve access to supportive services for those living in poverty, for new or improved local government initiatives to reduce poverty, and an implementation plan to bring recommendations to life.
This project is underway, with the project team currently finalizing the hiring of a consultant. Community engagement opportunities will be provided in the near future. For more information, please visit the SRD’s Poverty Reduction Plan project page at www.srd.ca/poverty-reduction-plan.
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