Crises Response Pilot Project
About the Project
Like many municipalities in Metro Vancouver, the City of New Westminster is trying to find compassionate, innovative, and goal-driven ways to address three particular crises:
- Homelessness
- Mental health
- Substance use
The goal of this pilot is to advance proactive, resilient and strategic organizational approaches that can be used long-term. The project involves three inter-departmental staff teams.
Operations Support Team
- The Operations Support Team's main focus is on safety, and includes but is not limited to: fire prevention, cleanliness and compliance with bylaws. This team also assesses staff needs related to safety and training.
- Examples of this team's work include proactive daily cleaning, working with a contractor to address issues related to waste, and also making sure staff have the proper tools to carry out their work in this context.
- This group also includes the Community Liaison Officer Program (CLOs), meant to support business and residents who are also impacted by the three crises.
- To connect with the Community Liaison Officer Program, please call 604-527-4502.
Crises Response Team (CRT Outreach)
- CRT Outreach is made up of outreach workers who provide supports to those experiencing homelessness, mental health, and substance use.
- Members of this team can provide referrals to provincial teams, as well as to faith-based and not-for-profit partners in the community.
- CRT Outreach champions the needs of Indigenous people with living experience, and work to identify how the City could provide a culturally safe and trauma-informed response.
- CRT Outreach operates Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding holidays.
- To connect with CRT Outreach, please call 604-527-4502.
Policy Development and Advocacy Team
- This team is lobbying senior levels of government for additional funding, resources and supports, which are needed to sustainably address the needs and issues associated with the three crises.
- They regularly assess and refine the work in this pilot through working groups, as well as through external evaluation.
The pilot project's approach is informed by a variety of experiences: along with those directly impacted by the three crises of homelessness, mental health, and substance use, it acknowledges the impacts to City staff, and the community as a whole.
The project will be guided by principles of preventing further harm, prioritizing safety and well-being, and being proactive and responsive.
CRPP 2025 Roadmap, FIVE-YEAR PLAN and TEN-year plan
In February 2025, council released a roadmap, which contains priorities from a five-year plan and a ten-year plan under the umbrella of the CRPP.
- Take a look at the press release which includes an explanation of the 2025 Roadmap.
- Take a look at the five-year plan (The plan begins on page 6).
- Take a look at the ten-year plan (The plan begins on page 11).
Biohazard Waste Pick-up program
Qualifying Downtown businesses may be able to participate in the biohazard waste pick-up program. This program involves a third-party contractor that regularly makes its way through parts of the neighbourhood from Monday to Friday.
If you'd like to learn more about how to sign up for the program, or how to report biohazardous waste in the community, please visit the Biohazard Removal Program page.
Further reaDING
Crises Response Pilot Project: Prevention, Support and Transition Services Plan and Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan
- Take a look at the Power Point presentation given at council on February 10, 2025.
- Take a look at the report from the February 10, 2025 council meeting.
- Take a look at the Five-Year Plan.
- Take a look at the Ten-Year Plan.
- Take a look at our Crises Response Pilot Project Who to Call Card. Please note we also have a limited number of physical cards available at City Hall. You can find them on the spinning rack by our customer service desk.
Housing Continuum definitions
Permanent Supportive Housing as part of an evidence-based approach to addressing homelessness
How does permanent supportive housing help people within the context of the three crises? Take a look at this document which outlines the initiative from a New Westminster perspective.
Learn more: the Health Connect and Resource Centre—Preliminary Concept
Take a look at the City's reasons for looking to establish a Health Contact and Resource Centre.