The B.C. government announced Friday that it was providing an additional $1 million so the First United Shelter can operate its Downtown Eastside facilities for 27 women and 95 men for an additional year.
Funding had been slated to expire at the end of this month.
But as housing minister Rich Coleman announced the funding, he also stressed that his ministry is focusing on creating housing that helps people move off the streets permanently, targeting public funds where they have the greatest impact.
Victoria is building 14 new supportive housing developments in partnership with the City of Vancouver and non-profit housing providers, which will create 1,500 new apartments to help address homelessness.
More than 400 of those new supportive housing units have opened in Vancouver since January.
“The B.C. government’s extension of funding enables us to reach more of Vancouver’s homeless population and connect them with health, social and permanent housing supports that are so urgently needed,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
