Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

Grants to British Columbia nonprofit and for-profit organizations, municipal governments, Indigenous councils and organizations, individuals, research organizations, educational and public health institutions to address homelessness in eligible locations. Preference will be given to projects that can clearly demonstrate a reduction in homelessness/houselessness, strong community support, and leveraging of support through partnerships. Priority will also be given to projects addressing Indigenous persons’ needs. The location of services must be in the Cowichan Region, City of Duncan, and/or City of Nanaimo.

There are two streams of funding for the Cowichan Region, the City of Duncan (including pre-existing extensions beyond boundaries), and the City of Nanaimo areas:  Indigenous Homelessness (off Nation) and Designated Community (includes on Nation).

• Cowichan Region: Designated funding stream only. OnNation projects are eligible to apply for Designated funds.
• City of Duncan: Indigenous (off-Nation) funding stream only; preference will be given to Indigenous-led organizations or partnerships involving Indigenous-led organizations. Specific agencies adjacent to the city limits have been granted special permission to apply within this category.
• City of Nanaimo, including Snuneymuxw Nation: Both Designated and Indigenous streams are available

Funding Streams: 

• Designated Communities: providing funding to organizations that help support people experiencing homelessness and working to reduce homelessness, including on Nation otherwise known as on Reserve. 
• Indigenous Homelessness: providing funding to organizations that offer supports to meet the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, off Nation otherwise known as off Reserve.

Reaching Home projects will address one or more of the following:  

• Housing Services that lead to an individual or family transitioning into more stable housing that has been deemed appropriate and safe.
• Prevention and Shelter Diversion includes activities aimed at preventing homelessness by supporting individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness before a crisis occurs.
• Client Support Services include individualized services to help improve integration and connectedness to support structures, such as the provision of basic needs and clinical/treatment, as well as economic/social & community integration services.
• Coordination of Resources and Data Collection activities that enhance understanding of local homelessness issues and help support decision-making and longer-term planning.

Where feasible, preference will be given to Indigenous organizations to deliver projects specifically targeting off Nation Indigenous people experiencing or at-risk for houselessness. 

For eligible activities, see https://uwcnvigrants.ca/2021/rh/docs/6/2021%20ReachHome_Appl-Guide%20Final.pdf#page=5.

For eligible costs, see https://uwcnvigrants.ca/2021/rh/docs/6/2021%20ReachHome_Appl-Guide%20Final.pdf#page=10.