Over the past three years, the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society has been reconnecting with its roots as a strong advocate for securing essential support for those who are unhoused or at risk. In the first phase of our new strategic planning process, we established a renewed Vision, and Mission and articulated our core values.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our theme for 2025 is Advocacy. <\/strong>We will be laying the foundation for the New West Advocacy Network<\/strong>. This initiative will support the implementation of CNW\u2019s Homelessness Action Strategy<\/strong> while also serving as a community engagement tool, equipping residents with the information and resources needed to advocate for a wide range of issues aligned with our new Vision and Mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We need your to help to lay this foundation!<\/strong> Contact Betina<\/a> our Coalition and Projects Coordinator if you would like more information, would like to support advocacy efforts, or get involved in anyway!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you would like to join the Advocacy Network you can do this here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out some of the\u00a0public statements<\/a>\u00a0we have made about community issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Current Call to Action: <\/strong>Opposition to the BC provincial government ending the decriminalization of small amounts of illicit drugs and the curtailing of the safer supply program in the province<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Homelessness Action Week 2025: <\/strong> Inform, Engage and Advocate, Issue 9: Advocacy <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n IEA Issue 9 can be printed here<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you want to learn more about specific topics? Issues that are causing a buzz in the community? <\/p>\n\n\n\n We will be creating easy-to-use resources that give you the information you need to speak up. For HAW 2025, we will be spotlighting Permanent Supportive Housing<\/strong>, so stay tuned!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is Permanent Supportive Housing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Permanent supportive housing includes embedded services as well as wraparound 24\/7 supports that aim to support residents to maintain their tenancies and foster positive health and wellbeing. Permanent supportive housing units serve a variety of groups, including people who are unhoused, people requiring mental health or substance use supports, people transitioning out of the criminal justice system, and people with disabilities. Best practice components supportive housing include:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 <\/em> Permanence and Affordability<\/strong> \u2013 housing is secure and rents are affordable, which provides stability and allows residents to rebuild connections, improve their health and wellbeing, and work towards self-identified goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 <\/em> Purpose-Designed<\/strong> \u2013 designing buildings for their intended use and with their intended occupants in mind can maximize benefits for residents, foster community within the building, reduce external impacts on the community, and facilitate cohesion with neighbours and the broader community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 Embedded Services and Wrap-around Supports<\/strong> \u2013 services and resources that are included as part of the housing \u2013 such as meal programs, peer support programs and 24\/7 on-site support staff \u2013 and individualized wrap-around supports help residents to maintain their housing and work towards self-identified goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 <\/em> Community-Building Initiatives<\/strong> \u2013 opportunities for socializing and community-building through design and\/or programming reduces isolation and fosters community both within and outside the housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to do some extra reading? <\/strong>Check out the City’s: Crises Response Pilot Project: the Five-Year Prevention, Support and Transition Services Plan and the Ten-Year Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Homelessness Action Week 2024: <\/strong> Inform, Engage and Advocate, Issue 4: Media and Community Matter! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To view the enlarged and complete Inform, Engage and Advocate, Issue 4<\/strong> click here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Homelessness Action Week 2023: <\/strong>Inform, Engage, and Advocate, Issue 3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Homelessness Action Week October 11- 18, 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Permanent Supportive Housing (In progress)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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