A new report tabled by the 3030 Gordon Emergency Shelter Task Force provides a comprehensive look at the community impacts of the shelter, as well as a strategic action plan.
COQUITLAM, BC, Oct. 2, 2018 – A new report tabled by the 3030 Gordon Emergency Shelter Task Force provides a comprehensive look at the community impacts of the shelter, as well as a strategic action plan.
About the 3030 Gordon Summary Report & Action Plan
One of the key tasks of the 3030 Gordon Emergency Shelter Task Force was to make recommendations to help proactively minimize community impacts and improve shelter operations.
In order to gain a better understanding of community impacts from 3030 Gordon, the Task Force set out to hear from a number of stakeholders including:
- BC Housing,
- City of Coquitlam Bylaw and Animal Control Services,
- City of Port Coquitlam Bylaw Enforcement,
- Coquitlam Fire / Rescue,
- Coquitlam RCMP,
- Fraser Health,
- Hope for Freedom Society,
- The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.
- Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group,
- RainCity Housing and Support Services, and
The conclusions of the report demonstrate that homelessness, mental health and addiction remain complicated and inter-connected issues. While there is no one ‘silver bullet’ to resolve the community impacts of the shelter, the Task Force has been successful in bringing stakeholders together to achieve shared solutions.
A key outcome of the report is an action plan outlining six strategic goals, and 29 directions – some of which are already underway.
The six strategic goals are:
- Promote Housing, Health, and Support Services in the Tri-Cities
- Increase Resources at 3030 Gordon
- Address Community and Business Impacts
- Prevent Crime in the 3030 Gordon Neighbourhood
- Increase Sharps Management in the Community
- Increase Community Awareness and Understanding
The Task Force has also recommended that the City add an item to the 2019 Business Plan in order to implement all 29 directions.
A full copy of the report is available at www.coquitlam.ca/3030taskforce.
About 3030 Gordon Emergency Shelter
3030 Gordon is a multi-service emergency shelter and supportive housing facility. It includes 30 emergency shelter private rooms, 30 supportive transitional housing studio units and 30 winter shelter beds, as well as associated support services, for people who are homeless. The facility opened in December 2015 through a partnership between the City of Coquitlam and BC Housing. 3030 Gordon is operated by RainCity Housing.
About the 3030 Gordon Emergency Shelter Task Force
The 3030 Gordon Emergency Shelter Task Force is a committee established by the City of Coquitlam in February 2018 in response to concerns around community impacts. The Task Force is made up of Councillors from both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. The mandate of the Task Force is:
- To monitor and review the broader community impacts of 3030 Gordon Street Shelter to ensure they are meeting the intent of the Good Neighbourhood Agreement;
- To liaise with BC Housing and Rain City Housing and Support Society (Rain City) and develop measures to assist the 3030 Gordonshelter in meeting the obligations of the Good Neighbourhood Agreement;
- To incorporate the input of Port Coquitlam City Council with respect to the community impacts and potential measures to address those impacts; and
- To provide recommendations to Coquitlam Council on the Council’s maintenance of the relationship with BC Housing and Rain City and the implementations of the measures developed by the Task Force by December 15, 2018
For more information about the 3030 Gordon Emergency Shelter Task Force, visit www.coquitlam.ca/3030taskforce.
Media contact:
Andrew Merrill
Manager, Community Planning
604-927-3416
Email