New Westminster, BC — As part of the Crises Response Pilot Project (CRPP), New Westminster City Council has approved the 2025 Crises Response Roadmap which is informed by recommendations from two new five and ten-year service plans. The plans include eight recommendations which prioritize advocating to other levels of government for additional funding and resources and will guide staff’s work in 2025.

“New Westminster City Council has heard the request from the community that local and senior levels of government must work together and do more to help our most vulnerable residents and provide solutions to address the impacts felt by residents and businesses,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “The Crises Response Roadmap demonstrates the City’s commitment to urgently addressing the three crises of homelessness, mental health, and substance use that have touched so many in the community.”

The 2025 Crises Response Roadmap builds on the work already underway through existing strategies such as the Homelessness Action Strategy and the Downtown Livability Strategy. It also aligns with the Provincial Housing Target Order and the Interim Housing Needs Report.

The two plans informing the 2025 Crises Response Roadmap are:

The Five-Year Prevention, Support and Transition Services Plan. This plan includes shorter-term recommendations for the Provincial Government, and will address the immediate needs of those experiencing the three crises, with a goal of stabilizing their lives. Priorities include:

• Priority one: Advocating to BC Housing for additional seasonal and temporary emergency shelter capacity, including 24/7, citywide.
• Priority two: Facilitating strategic partnerships with faith-based, non-profit and provincial organizations and teams to address needs and gaps, including related to coverage, hours, referrals, services and staffing, and to undertake joint planning and advocacy activities.
• Priority three: Advocating to BC Housing, the Ministry of Health and other applicable Provincial bodies to fund a Health Connect and Resource Centre—on a site outside the Downtown and accessible by public transit.
• Priority four: Advocating to the Ministry of Health and the Fraser Health Authority to add indoor inhalation services at the Downtown Overdose Prevention Site.

The Ten-Year Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan. This plan identifies longer term sustainable actions. This includes securing funding from BC Housing to construct permanent, purpose-designed supportive housing that would be equitably distributed in neighbourhoods across the city. Priorities include:

• Priority one: Supporting expedited construction of the 52-unit supportive housing development in the Downtown at 602 Agnes Street (formerly 68 Sixth Street).
• Priority two: Advocating to BC Housing to prioritize funding to construct trauma-informed and culturally-safe Indigenous housing.
• Priority three: Advocating to BC Housing to prioritize funding for a permanent 24/7 shelter with support services – on a site outside the Downtown and accessible by public transit.
• Priority four: Advocating to BC Housing, the Ministry of Health and the Fraser Health Authority to prioritize the funding for 20 complex care units within the construction of new purpose-designed supportive housing developments.

The full presentation given to Council outlining this work can be viewed online.

“All municipalities are facing the increasing challenges of homelessness, mental health and substance use, and New Westminster is no exception,” said Lisa Spitale, Chief Administrative Officer. “The 2025 Crises Response Roadmap will align City department workplans demonstrating our commitment to expediting processes to address these crises. We look forward to keeping residents, businesses and community groups informed and updated on our progress.”

Launched in September 2024, the Crises Response Pilot Project is a two-year pilot aimed at addressing homelessness, mental health and substance use in New Westminster. For more information on the Crises Response Pilot Project and the five and ten-year service plans, please visit www.newwestcity.ca/crises-response-project.

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Contact:

Ria Renouf
Communications Coordinator, Crises Response Pilot Project
City of New Westminster
or 778-789-0573