A Sunshine Coast program enabling those in need to seek accommodation is currently facing a risk of its own.
The Homelessness Outreach Project (HOP) is an initiative created to assist Coast residents who are homeless or facing a lack of accommodation. HOP works in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society.
Initially started as a pilot project, HOP is entering an uncertain stage as pilot funding, provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), wraps up at the end of September.
Permanent funding is available federally and through BC Housing, which HOP is applying for. While Jim White, HOP co-ordinator, said he is confidant they will get the federal funding, HOP needs bridge funding in the interim to keep its services going.
"It would take a miracle to have a decision made by the end of September," White said. "We fully expect to be successful, but we are concerned about that gap. What we need in terms of funding is enough to keep this program going for the next three months."
HOP services about 100 people and was designed to support those experiencing housing vulnerability or homelessness.
And according to White, the need is growing.
"We deal with about an average of 10 to 12 new referrals every month," he said. "Of those, about 40 per cent need short-term emergency accommodation, which means they are on the street. If our funding isn't continued, all this will have to be stopped."
White said in addition to assisting with housing, he and HOP outreach workers Sarah Mundell and Carey Rumba provide people with help for numerous other activities including life skills, advocacy, emotional support and job searching.
"We have become an integrated part of the social service venue and the community is reliant on us, especially the hospital, welfare, mental health, probation and other agencies," White said.
The team is quick to shake off any stereotypes of Coast homelessness. Eighty-five per cent of their clients are from the Sunshine Coast, with approximately 60 per cent male and 40 per cent female. The average age is 43, many are entrenched in poverty, and more than 40 per cent have chronic health problems.
"The goal here is to provide long-term, safe, secure housing," White said. "The myth is that you phone up an apartment and you move in one of our clients, and that's done. Well, the multiple barriers our clients present, from mental health to poverty to just being single and lonely to drugs and alcohol, all that, they need the long-term support."
"All these things break down when someone is homeless. They may not be able to take their medication on a regular basis, they may get sick more often, ending up in the hospital a lot more," Mundell said.
Although there has been support from local governments, HOP is reaching out to everyone they can for funding.
"At this point, is human resources going to bridge fund us to keep us going until the decision is made on the proposal? We don't know, but we will certainly be addressing that in the next couple weeks," White said. "At this point, I think we would say we are asking for funding from any individual or government for us to get over this hump. And we have every faith in the Sunshine Coast community this will happen."
For information on HOP or to make a donation, contact Sunshine Coast Community Services Society at 604-885-5881 or visit www.sccsa.ca.
