The City of Fort St. John has received $294,500 from the Northern Healthy Communities Fund (NHCF) to support the Fort St. John Housing Solutions Initiative.
City officials say the project will help address local housing challenges by developing a Housing First model that fits the community’s needs and supports people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing.
The city says that continued growth in the region brings new jobs and investment, and puts pressure on housing, infrastructure, and services. Many residents struggle to find and keep stable housing.
The Fort St. John Housing Solutions Initiative will focus on helping people move into permanent housing as quickly as possible, without requiring them to meet certain conditions first. Once housed, people will receive support based on their individual needs. The goal is to build a system that works for Fort St. John and reflects the realities of our community.
“This funding helps us take action on a serious issue,” said Mayor Lilia Hansen. “We know that housing is a foundation for health and well-being. This initiative ensures people in Fort St. John have the support they need to stay housed and move forward.”
The NHCF is administered by the Northern Development Initiatives Trust (NDIT), an independent non-profit corporation established by the Province that stimulates economic growth through investments in grassroots, community-led projects.
Over the next three years, the Fort St. John Housing Solutions Initiative says it will focus on building partnerships, testing a small pilot project, and planning for long-term solutions.