Cowichan Coalition to Address Homelessness and Affordable Housing

The Coalition

The Cowichan Coalition to End Homelessness was originally formed in 2017 by multiple partners, including Cowichan Housing Association. Prior to COVID-19, the Coalition worked with local government representatives, businesses, non-profit organizations, Island Health, and other community members to work to increase affordable housing options and reduce homelessness in the Cowichan Region. Once the pandemic arrived, the goals shifted to address immediate health and safety needs of the unsheltered population. With massive turnover of key community organizations, the coalition paused.

As of September 2023, Cowichan Housing Association has began to re-invigorate the Cowichan Coalition to Address Homelessness and Affordable Housing.

Vision

The vision of the Coalition is for all citizens in the Cowichan Region to have a safe, affordable home and adequate supports for well-being.

Mission

Connect, coordinate, collaborate, and communicate around issues of homelessness and affordable housing needs in the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and to promote, support and facilitate the development of affordable housing.
Provides leadership and strategic planning, collaboration, coordination, capacity building
Implementation of Community Plan
Liaison with other Coalitions
To foster and support policy to promote the development of affordable housing

Why is the Coalition Important?

Complex social problems require us to move away from traditional, sometimes isolating, ways communities respond. A coalition, founded in the principles of collective impact, brings a broad range of community representatives together to identify and make progress toward a shared vision.

It is important for the Coalition to be Regional in scope to recognize that the issues and needs cross municipal, electoral, and health jurisdictions, and that these issues are not limited to urban areas

The coalition connects those involved in the work, coordinates, collaborates and communicates with all members to undertake work involved in four inter-related streams of work to further that vision.

Together, we can realize greater impact.

Key Goals

Using the Collective Impact Framework, the Cowichan Coalition will undertake 4 inter-related streams of work outlined below.

Homelessness Prevention and Response

Housing First
- Safe, affordable housing for all, including those experiencing challenges with substance use and/or mental health
Youth Focused
- Ensuring that supports and housing are in place for youth transitioning out of care
- Shelter for youth experiencing homelessness
Emergency Response
- Establish Emergency Weather Response and location in advance to need

Affordability, Accessibility, and Supportive Housing

Create Affordable Housing Strategy
Secure sustainable funding
Research and data to advocate for policy change, funding, and increasing affordable housing stock
Housing Projects
- Rent control to maintain affordable housing
- Support development of additional affordable housing stock

Communication and Education to End Stigma and Descrimination

Anti-stigma and anti-racism focused projects
Advocacy and calls to action
Community education and training
Communications strategy

Collaboration and Leadership

Sustainable Funding
- Partnerships with all levels of government, including Indigenous, and private sector housing providers
Coordinated Access and Collective Impact framework

For more information on the work being done, contact the
Cowichan Coalition Coordinator at 250-597-1938
or send an email here.