Welcome to the website of the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness!

Homelessness is a complex subject. The reasons why someone might lose his or her home range from mental illness and addictions to unemployment to the high cost of real estate. While all people who are homeless need homes, many also need health care and social supports. While they are living on the street, their many needs include toilets and showers, food, clothing and health care.

New! We have posted the following presentation to give you more information about the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness.  Click here to download the presentation in full.

Although the causes of and solutions to homelessness may be complicated, one thing is very clear. Homelessness is an issue in Burnaby.

In January 2005, the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness was formed in response to this concern. Comprised of people from a variety of government bodies, social service agencies, faith communities and policing departments as well as concerned private citizens, the Task Force strives to ensure that the needs of Burnaby people who are homeless are met and to end homelessness.

Five of the six goals of the Task Force target the three components (Housing, Income and Support Services) of the 3 Ways to Home Regional Homelessness Plan for Greater Vancouver (available at http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/homelessness/homelessnessplan.htm) while the seventh goal is to foster partnerships in order to increase the likelihood that the other goals will be achieved.

Housing

· Continue to operate the Extreme Weather Shelter

· Develop housing solutions to homelessness

Income

· Improve income for people who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless

Support Services

· Expand on existing community awareness and provision of services

Working Together with Others

· Develop partnerships

While much has been achieved in the three years since the Task Force was formed, a great deal still remains to be done. The number of people in Burnaby who are homeless is growing. This means that more support services and homes are needed than ever before. The members of the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness are committed to understanding and addressing this challenge. It is our hope that Burnaby will continue to be a good place to call home for most of us and that it will become a better home for the less fortunate among us.

The Task Force invites you to join our efforts to transform this vision into reality. May you find something in this website that helps you decide what action is right for you!

written by Nadine Loewen Chair of the Task Force