express on line – www.expressnews.ca June 18, 2003 EXPRESS Page 3 $400,000 for local homelessness MAX THE JEWELLER PHYLLIS TATUM MSW, RSW Counsellor/Therapist by Anne McEwen has a choice, do they really have community and for those people who Although recent events would sug- options?” If someone has no choice in are really with no other options.” gest that the public discussion on their housing situation, due to poverty, Although the building has been com- homelessness in Nelson has just lack of skills, addiction or health prob- pleted there are no operational funds begun, the Nelson Committee on lems, they are homeless. available. The short-term facility Homelessness (NCOH) has been In their 2002 plan entitled Nelson’s would help homeless find stability and working for three years on the issue of Community Plan to Prevent and resources. M X Registered trademark of • Experienced • Knowledgeable homelessness and has already put in Reduce Homelessness, the NCOH pri- The NCOH hopes that by this time Max the Jeweller • Compassionate place a plan of action and received oritized 24-hour emergency and short- next year the Ward Street Place will be 507 Baker St. Suite 201 INQUIRIES 352-3559 funding to work towards established term housing and food operational. According to the commit- 354-0242 goals. distribution/nutrition as immediate tee funding is in the works and later Jim Fenning, co-chair of the NCOH goals. Severe housing unit shortage, this month the NCOH will find out says that, “things are already under- higher than average rent rates and how much money will be available. way, not to panic.” unemployment levels along with men- In light of recent public awareness Kootenai Moon Computerized The NCOH is a made up of volun- tal health, senior and youth popula- on homelessness issues, Fenning cau- teers from more than 25 agencies in tions are highlighted in the plan as tions that although “Nelson’s popula- Wicker & Rattan Health Nelson that serve the homeless includ- having contributed to the high level of tion swells in the summertime, it does- Assessment ing the Faith community, addictions homelessness. The committee has also n’t necessarily mean that we’ve got a and mental health services and City identified Nelson’s unique character problem. People see things on the and Therapy Councilor Michelle Mungall. One of as a factor that has attracted people to street and don’t really know what’s Allergies...Organs... Parasites... the successes of the committee, stay in the city despite lack of employ- happening behind the scenes to deal Hormones... Digestion... Immune Furniture, Baskets, Window System...and more according to Fenning, is that all the ment and housing. with it, they can jump to conclusions Blinds, Silk Florals service providers are at the table and In the Spring of 2002, after Nelson and worry. We’re overcoming that.” Quantum Health working towards a common goal. was identified by the federal govern- All Things Beautiful! and Well-Being The NCOH has worked to define ment as the smallest community in BC Some homelessness 737 Baker St, Nelson Marilyn McCombe 352-5530 250-354-1201 homelessness in both an “absolute” facing a homelessness problem, the and “relative” sense. While absolute Supporting Community Partnerships numbers homelessness refers to those with no Initiative and Federal Homelessness • Our Daily Bread hot meal physical shelter, relative homelessness Strategy allocated over $400,000 to program serves 70-80 people at refers to those without stability or the NCOH. Some of this money was each sitting 4th Annual safety in accessing their daily necessi- ties including food and shelter. distributed to various independent agencies to provide services such as • In 2002 Nelson’s vacancy rate Community Love Feast 2003 was the region’s lowest at 1.9%. Sunday, July 6th, 5 pm to 8 pm Relative homelessness also includes food cupboards and soup kitchens for The Kootenay regional average is 400 Block of Josephine St. (between Baker & Vernon St.) those who are at risk of becoming the homeless, some was used to do 12.5% Free: BBQ (both meat and veggie), pop, ice cream, and homeless, pay a high proportion of further research and gather informa- their income (over 30%) to rent or are tion, but the majority of the money • BC Housing defines affordable water melon ‘couch surfing’. The NCOH has aimed ($258,810) was used to purchase and housing as suitable accommoda- Live Music: “Some One’s Son” and other artists to help both groups. renovate the Ward Street Place as an tion that costs no more than 30% In defining the difference between emergency housing project. of income. Nelson has the largest Everyone is Welcome homeless and transient, Fenning says, “This is a priority for us as a com- number of renters paying over Sponsored by various Nelson Churches “it comes down to whether someone mittee; I think it’s a priority for this 50% of their income to rent in the For info phone: 352-7700 region. • In 2002 there were 210 “social housing” units in Nelson for en a households of low or modest O pa y sk Nelson’s own fish shop d e income. 7 we • Nelson has a higher than average population of young people and East Coast Comfort seniors and a higher than average performs unemployment rate Thursdays at lunch • The Friendship Clubhouse report- ed providing 500+ beds in 2001. Fresh seafood shipped in daily • All information from Nelson’s Community Plan to Prevent and 577 Ward St. Nelson, BC 505-5515 PHOTO BY NELSON BECKER Ward Street place was purchased as an emergency housing project to provide some Reduce Homelessness homelessness services. 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