Crisis Response Pilot : This Program Delves into the Business' & Residents' Responses to the Plan to Deal with the Vulnerable.

This video is the second in a two part program on the New Westminster's ambitious two-year, leading edge, pilot project to alleviate homelessness here. This project also focuses on the mental health and substance use issues among the vulnerable. It's called the Crisis Response Pilot Project. 

Susan Millar – Local Journalism Initiative

In this video, NewWest.tv's Susan Millar interviews the city's Senior Social Planner John Stark, and Deputy Fire Chief Brad Davie who have been very involved in the setup of this project and will be some of the principle people involved in its ongoing development. 

This video looks at this project from the point of view of local business and residents. The pilot has just got underway....but before it got started, there was a lot of research done, including extensive engagement with businesses and residents. Their input has been important in developing this project.

This video also looks at some of the issues of the unhoused, many of whom are dealing with mental health and substance use issues. For example, what are the concerns for people 'living rough'? What is there for individuals dealing with substance abuse issues, aside from an immediate crisis response. What about the indigenous people who represent an outsized number of the vulnerable – what are the sensitivities that need to be taken into account in working with them?...These are just some of the issues talked about.

In this program, you will find out what the city can and is doing now for these people as part of the pilot project, and what the plans are for the future to extend and deepen the help that can be brought to bear.

As the city's Senior Social Planner John Stark reiterates more than once, ultimately it's housing for all that is needed. In the meantime, there is a lot going on to alleviate the problems of the unhoused, now. There are short term, intermediate, and long term steps that can be taken. They have been carefully researched and considered in advance of the pilot's startup.