Poverty Reduction Plan
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has received $147,700 from the UBCM Poverty Reduction Planning and Action Program to move forward with a Poverty Reduction Strategy for the region.
The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is providing funding to support local governments in reducing poverty at the local level and to support the Province’s own poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC.
The SRD’s Poverty Reduction Plan will be developed in partnership with the City of Campbell River and the Campbell River Coalition to End Homelessness, with extensive engagement with member municipalities, First Nations, community organizations, service providers, and people with lived and living experience to gather information and plan ways to break the cycle of poverty and strengthen resilience in the region.
The Plan will blend the unique needs of the rural and remote communities throughout the region with the urban-centric needs of Campbell River, with a focus on eight priority action areas:
- Housing;
- Families, children, and youth;
- Education and training;
- Employment;
- Income support;
- Social support;
- Discrimination and stigma; and
- Safe, affordable, transportation.
Increased access to affordable housing will be a significant focus of the plan due to the rising cost of renting or buying a home in our region. The Plan will produce a set of recommendations for local governments within our region to improve access to supportive services for those living in poverty, for new or improved local government initiatives to reduce poverty, and an implementation plan to bring recommendations to life.
“The SRD is appreciative to have received funding to assist with the creation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy for the region,” said Aniko Nelson, SRD Senior Manager, Community Services. “In the wake of overlapping economic crises, it is more important now than ever to assess and be proactive to the needs of our communities.”
This project is underway, with the project team currently finalizing the hiring of a consultant. Community engagement opportunities will be provided in the near future.
For more information regarding the Provincial poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC, please visit: www.gov.bc.ca
CONTACT
Aniko Nelson – SRD Senior Manager, Community Services 250-830-6708 | anelson@srd.ca