Nicola Valley Homelessness Support Project (NVHSP) was able to support 9 people to find housing from October 1st to December 31st including 5 experiencing homelessness, 3 diverted from homelessness, and 1 person was provided with temporary housing awaiting intake into recovery.  Out of the 9 that were housed, 5 were experiencing homelessness.  Of the remaining 4, one leaving the hospital system was diverted from staying at a shelter, two were diverted from shelter stays after their housing stability irreversibly broke down, and one was supported into temporary housing while awaiting a recovery bed opening at a treatment facility.  All of those housed during this quarter remain housed.  Of those accessing services this quarter from the NVHSP, 72 % required support with accessing food security options, 45% of clients received direct NVHSP financial support and approximately 45% required assistance with filling out applications to secure income.

ASK Wellness Society, through the NVHSP, provided housing stabilization support to 61 other individuals in the realm of direct landlord/tenant support.  Overall, the program worked with 97 community members to provide relevant services that focused on housing stabilization & wellness.  As part of our two-pronged approach of harm reduction and education NVHSP clients have access to cultural supports from our Cultural Support Worker. These connections included 1 to 1 meetings & supports, land-based & medicine wheel teachings, and harvesting & preparing traditional foods and medicines.  Community partners and their clients were invited to attend one of our CSW’s land-based activity outings.