Statement from Mayor’s Office regarding need for Province to take action on homelessness

Mayor Meghan Lahti has issued the following statement regarding the need for the Province to take action on homelessness in the Tri-Cities: 

The City of Port Moody expresses its support for the City of Coquitlam’s requests for a coordinated subregional approach towards securing additional supportive housing, including housing for seniors, mental health services, and substance use services, as well as a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to outreach services. 

As Mayor, on behalf of City Council, I have sent a letter to the Government of B.C. requesting concrete support and a commitment from the Province and BC Housing to fulfil their primary mandate and responsibilities in addressing homelessness, mental health, and substance use issues in communities. 

In the letter, I ask the provincial government to act now, through short-term, temporary solutions, while they work with municipalities on creative and innovative, made-in-community, long-term solutions that address the urgent issues and context of each community. 

The issue of homelessness in Port Moody, and in the Tri-Cities, is one that continues to grow and continues to be a concern to the City. There has been a recent decrease in shelter spaces (including emergency weather shelters and supportive housing), and significant gaps in housing supports to address the growing need. 

-Mayor Meghan Lahti