The City of Castlegar is applying for $400,000 to keep Castlegar Community Services’ street outreach and community hub programs going for another year.
The city says the programs provide “harm-reduction supplies, on-the-ground support, and low-barrier daytime services for vulnerable community members.”
If successful, the grant from Health Canada’s emergency treatment fund would also pay for a new outreach van and co-ordination of the Castlegar Integrated Services Collaborative.
Meeri Durand, the city’s acting director of community safety and development, told city council the one-time grants are aimed at responding to Canada’s toxic drug crisis. While the city is the applicant, Castlegar Community Services would do the work.
City council previously approved $10,000 to maintain the same services through the spring. Daytime programs are currently offered at the homeless shelter at 1660 Columbia Avenue. While a new shelter is expected to open at 2245 6th Avenue in April, the current shelter would remain home to the outreach services.
Mayor Maria McFaddin said she supported the application, but worries about what comes after.
“I want to make sure that it’s clear that we’re looking for the long-term solution,” she said.
“What do we do after that year if those services are not being provided by the shelter? How do we keep this service going without it becoming a burden on local taxpayers? Because we just don’t have the budget for it.”
Of the $400,000, about $180,000 is earmarked for staffing and $58,000 for the van purchase. The rest includes gas, insurance, maintenance, supplies, utilities, administration, and a contingency.
The street outreach team consists of two workers and a manager who operate four days a week, working with people experiencing homelessness and substance use. The community hub offers daytime services including drug checking, peer support, food, showers, and laundry.
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