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Frequently Asked Questions: Crises Response Pilot Project

Here are some of the frequently asked questions the City receives about the Crises Response Pilot Project (CRPP) as well as the City's outreach team (CRT Outreach). 
 


Why is this pilot project needed?

Like other Metro Vancouver municipalities, New Westminster is facing three crises of homelessness, mental health, and substance use. These crises have become further complicated by other factors, including the costs of food and housing. 

These are complex, inter-related situations challenging each level of government: they were further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing opioid epidemic.

While the City has been active in addressing these crises, a more comprehensive strategy is needed to make progress. One of the highlights of this project includes a dedicated and trained team of staff working with local faith-based, not-for-profit, and provincial organizations and teams. Our work is informed, in part, by the Homelessness Action Strategy.

How do I get in touch with CRT Outreach?

The team is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. They can be reached via email or by phone. The team does not operate during statutory holidays.

Email: outreach@newwestcity.ca
Phone: 604-636-4343

When should I reach out to CRT Outreach?

Do connect with the team for the following:

  • If someone in the community is in need of resources related to food or shelter
  • If you see a tent or similar structure in the community

If we are unable to assist, we will do our best to provide contact information for those who may be able to better respond.

I am a business. How am I able to keep up with what's happening with the pilot project?

The City will share the most up-to-date information through this page, and anyone interested specifically in this project should sign up for our email updates.

We are also working with a number of partners in the community to let business owners know we are available to assist them in the context of this pilot. 

You can also watch for updates through the City's social media channels. 



I am a resident. How am I able to keep track of what's happening with the pilot project?

Along with signing up for email updates, you can find the most up-to-date information on the pilot via this web page, or through our social media channels.


Are large homeless encampments an issue in New Westminster?

New Westminster has not experienced large homeless encampments. In New West, overnight sheltering of one or two people in parks and public spaces tends to be more of an issue. Those sheltering outside are asked to dismantle each morning, and then provided with information and referral services.

Outreach workers will provide additional assistance and support. Over time, they will build relationships and trust, which can help with voluntary cooperation.

If you develop more housing, shelter and supports to address the three crises, will it just attract more people who are unhoused?

Most of those who are unhoused have long-term ties to New Westminster. 

Approximately 19% lived in New Westminster for one to five years and 44% lived in New Westminster for six or more years. Combined, this accounts for 63% of those who are unhoused. As such, and within the time periods in question, 37% of those who were unhoused relocated to New Westminster.

By comparison, between 2016 and 2021 and based on the 2021 Census, 36% of all residents had relocated to New Westminster. This indicates those who are unhoused are not as transient as some believe, and that connections to a variety of support networks are important.


What are the plans to address the needs of the daytime unhoused population?

Given the lack of 24/7 shelter and supportive housing capacity, the daytime unhoused population numbers at least 120 people in New Westminster. Of note, the daytime is when businesses are typically operating and residents are circulating.

The City is exploring the possibility of creating a Health Connect and Resource Centre, which could address a variety of needs including:

  • Access to laundry facilities, showers and toilets
  • Providing meal programming and nutritional advice
  • Accommodating provincial health outreach teams
  • Offering primary care and substance use services
  • Providing resource information, referral services, navigation assistance and outreach support

The City and the Lower Mainland Purpose Society are also in discussions with the Fraser Health Authority in the hopes of extending hours for the Health Contact Centre.

If these two objectives are realized, many of those who make up the daytime unhoused population will be brought inside. The spaces would also provide opportunities to meet their diverse needs and address the underlying issues which could be contributing to their experiencing homelessness.

Why does the Crises Response Pilot Project place an emphasis on ensuring culturally-appropriate and trauma-informed responses, particularly related to Indigenous peoples?

There is a significant over-representation of enumerated, self-identified Indigenous people among the unhoused in New Westminster. While Indigenous people represent 3.1% of the population in New Westminster, they represent 43% of the enumerated, unsheltered homeless and 12% of the enumerated, sheltered homeless.

This discrepancy may indicate shelter services and supports are not culturally sensitive or responsive to the needs of those who self-identify as Indigenous. Of note, of the enumerated, self-identified, unhoused Indigenous persons, 58% self-reported that they or a family member had experienced residential schools. This may indicate a mistrust of government-funded services and institutional-like settings. 

Where can I look at the previous updates/work that has been done in relation to this pilot?

Information regarding the Temporary Use Permit at 502 Columbia Street

In November 2024, the Lower Mainland Purpose Society applied for a new Temporary Use Permit to operate an emergency shelter, either nightly or 24/7, on the lower floor of the former Army and Navy Department store at 502 Columbia Street. The emergency shelter would have 50 beds and serve men and women. A Temporary Use Permit is needed as an emergency shelter use is not permitted under the property’s C-8 (Columbia Street Historic Comprehensive Development Districts) Zone.

Q: Are all municipalities dealing with homelessness?

A: All municipalities are dealing with homelessness which is a senior government responsibility. For context, New Westminster experienced a 65% increase in homelessness between 2020 and 2023, and neighbouring municipalities experienced similar or higher increases: Surrey (65%), Burnaby (69%), Tri-Cities (86%) and Richmond (91%).

Q: It seems that the Downtown has more homelessness services than other parts of the city. Shouldn’t there be more homelessness services outside the Downtown?

A: The City is working with BC Housing on a permanent 24/7 shelter and additional supportive housing outside the Downtown. Also, there are currently 10 extreme weather mats, 24 emergency shelter beds, 20 transition and second stage housing beds, and 81 supportive housing units located in other neighbourhoods throughout the city. The City, through its Crises Response Pilot Project, is working to ensure a more equitable distribution by neighbourhood/sub-area of facilities services and supports addressing homelessness.

Q: Shouldn’t there be more emphasis on longer-term strategies to addressing homelessness such as permanent supportive housing?

A: The City is committed to longer-term, sustainable solutions to addressing homelessness and is working with BC Housing to develop permanent supportive housing. This includes 52 supportive housing units approved and soon to be under construction at 602 Agnes Street and another 50 supportive housing units and 10 complex care units in discussion for a location outside the Downtown.

Q: Will the emergency shelter at 502 Columbia Street contribute to social issues in the Downtown?

A: The continuation of a shelter at 502 Columbia Street will help to reduce the impacts of homelessness, including sheltering in parks and business/residential doorways and recessed areas; open burning to keep warm or to cook; and the presence of discarded belongings and human waste in public and private spaces. A 24/7 shelter would reduce the daytime homeless population by about half, which is when most businesses are operating and when residents are typically circulating in the community.

Q: What is being done to address externalities associated with the emergency shelter at
502 Columbia Street?

A: BC Housing is working on a response plan, which will address aspects related to cleanliness, maintenance, safety and security for the emergency shelter. Additionally, as a condition of the proposed Temporary Use Permit, City staff is recommending the establishment of a community advisory committee, which will engage business and resident interests in a proactive process to address concerns and issues as they arise.

Q: Is the emergency shelter a temporary use or will it become a permanent use?

A: It is recognized that this property will redevelop at some point in the future. The timing is the decision of the property owner. The Lower Mainland Purpose Society has signed a lease extension with the property owner, which now concludes in November 2028. The City is working with BC Housing on the development of a permanent 24/7 shelter and additional supportive housing outside the Downtown. When realized, this will result in the closure of the shelter at 502 Columbia Street.

Q: What is required to realize a 24/7 emergency shelter at 502 Columbia Street?

A: The property owner would have to provide consent to the operator to realize a 24/7 shelter and BC Housing would have to fund building retrofits in support of it.

Q: How would a 24/7 emergency shelter benefit guests?

A: Currently, the nightly shelter operates from 8pm to 8am on a daily basis. If 24/7, this would reduce the need for guests to move about the community at they try to meet their basic needs during the day, including those related to food, hygiene and shelter. Additionally, it would enhance access to services and supports which typically only operate during the daytime.

Q: Was the community aware of the proposed Temporary Use Permit?

A: Consistent with City practice, Council was informed of an application prior to notices going out to properties within 100 metres of the site, and information being posted in online news media. The notices identify the ways in which the public can provide feedback to the City by e-mail or mail. This FAQ has been provided in addition to the City’s typical practice.

Q: Was the community aware of the proposed option for the 24/7 operation as part of the Temporary Use Permit?

A: The City, as part of the engagement related to the Crises Response Pilot Project, has shared information that the Lower Mainland Purpose Society was interested in developing a temporary 24/7 shelter at 502 Columbia Street. This engagement included the https://www.downtownnewwest.ca/https://www.downtownnewwest.ca/, the Downtown Residents’ Association and the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce. Based on this engagement, a number of participants felt that there would be benefit in transitioning the nightly shelter to a temporary 24/7 shelter.